The battle of supremacy between the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Benue State House of Assembly has taken a new twist with the Executive Arm in the state backing the removal of the State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, by the lawmakers.
Recall that after the lawmakers suspended him last week and asked the next-in-line judge to act in his stead, the NJC discountenanced the lawmakers and said Ikpambese remained chief judge. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also backed the embattled CJ.
According to a News Agency of Nigria (NAN) report, the state government has said that the Chief Judge stands removed from office.
This is contained in a statement on Monday signed by Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.
The government also urged the embattled CJ to prepare and defend the allegations preferred on him by the State Government.
‘The House of Assembly acted within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
”The CJ is advised to defend the allegations against him at the National Judicial Commission and stop making unnecessary public statements to whip up sentiments.
“The government is strong in the opinion that the lawmakers acted in the overall interest of the state and in line with Section 292(1)(a) (ii) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides that a Chief Judge may only be disposed of by the Governor, acting on an address supported by two-thirds of the House of Assembly.
“Ikpambese’s alleged sins and malfeasances have since been forwarded to NJC for adjudication and discipline as enshrined in Section 153(1)(i) of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“We advice the embattled Judge to prepare to defend himself at the NJC,” the government said.
On Feb. 19, the NJC insisted that justice Ikpambese remained the chief judge of Benue.
In a statement signed by a spokesperson for the council, Kemi Ogedengbe, the NJC said Ikpambese remains the state’s chief judge until the complaints brought against the chief judge are investigated and deliberated upon by the council.
The NJC said the purported removal of the chief judge by the Benue State House of Assembly cannot stand.
“The attention of the NJC has been drawn to a certain media report to the effect that the Benue house of assembly has purportedly passed a Resolution recommending the removal of justice Ikpambese from office.
“Unfortunate as this development is, council wishes to reiterate that there are clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 on discipline and appointment of Judicial Officers vested in the Council, which clearly are not adhered to in the instant case.
“Although, the council had this morning received a petition against justice Ikpambese, that petition is yet to be investigated in line with Council’s investigation procedure and the principles of fair hearing.”
