The National Judicial Council (NJC) has nullified the suspension of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, by the state House of Assembly, declaring it unconstitutional.
In a statement released yesterday by NJC spokesperson Kemi Ogendengbe, the Council emphasized that only it has the authority to discipline judicial officers, as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution.
“The attention of the NJC has been drawn to reports that the Benue State House of Assembly has passed a resolution recommending the removal of the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese. This development is unconstitutional as the NJC has exclusive powers to investigate and discipline judicial officers,” the statement read.
The NJC confirmed that a petition had been received against Ikpambese but stressed that due process must be followed. “Until the complaint is investigated and deliberated upon by the Council, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese remains the Chief Judge of Benue State.”
The Benue State Assembly had suspended Ikpambese over allegations of mismanagement of judiciary funds and misconduct. The motion, moved by Majority Leader Saater Tiseer and seconded by Peter Ipusu, accused the CJ of bribery, corruption, and undue political influence.
Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh directed that the next most senior judge be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge and stated that the Assembly would forward its petition against Ikpambese to the NJC for investigation.
In a related development, the Benue Assembly suspended 13 lawmakers for three months for allegedly causing division in the House. The affected members, led by Douglas Akya (Makurdi South Constituency), had held a press conference disassociating themselves from the Chief Judge’s suspension.
The Assembly also ordered the Clerk to retrieve travel funds already paid to the suspended lawmakers for an upcoming trip to London and barred them from participating.
The controversy surrounding the Benue judiciary highlights ongoing tensions between the legislative and judicial arms of government in the state.
