Benue Assembly Wants CJ Maurice Ikpambese Sacked, Gives Reasons…NBA Fumes

 Benue State House of Assembly has recommended the immediate removal of Maurice Ikpambese as Chief Judge of the state.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the Benue State parliament had taken this action sequel to the letter received from Governor Hyacinth Alia in which he had accused Maurice Ikpambese of ‘gross violation of the ethical code of conduct’ and ‘despicable acts’.

The plenary session held on Tuesday was presided over by Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh.

In the letter which was read out by the Majority Leader of the house of assembly, Saater Tiseer, Governor Alia raised five allegations against the Chief Judge.

‘Abuse of office by issuing a directive to overturn the Benue State Electoral Law passed by the Benue State House of Assembly and assented to by the governor of the state.

Misappropriation and mismanagement of the Budgetary Allocation and Finances of the Benue State Judiciary.

 Engagement with politicians and political office holders for favourable judicial outcomes.

Indirect participation and incitement of the industrial actions against the State executive.

Acts of bribery and corruption and undue favouritism and dire insistence on cronies holding unmerited positions’ the governor had submitted in the letter in question.

23 out of the 31 members of the House of Assembly voted for Maurice Ikpambese’s removal as Chief Judge.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the resolution describing it as inexcusable and a breach of the constitution.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), and General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, on Wednesday in Abuja, the association emphasized that the House of Assembly of any state lacks the power to remove a Chief Judge without the involvement of the National Judicial Council.

‘The Nigerian Bar Association views with contempt the purported resolution passed by the Benue State House of Assembly directing Governor Hyacinth Alia to remove the Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Maurice Ikpambwese, from office.

The resolution is not only unjustifiable but violates the spirit and intent of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The removal of a judicial officer, especially one occupying the esteemed position of Chief Judge, must adhere strictly to due process as outlined in our Constitution. Any deviation from this process is a direct affront to the rule of law and poses a significant threat to our democracy.

It is laughable for the House of Assembly of any state to purport to have the power to discuss, much less recommend, the removal of a Chief Judge without the involvement of the National Judicial Council’ the statement said-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you