By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State House of Assembly on Wednesday suspended thirteen members for three months over allegation of dishonourable behaviour.
A press statement by Mr. Terver Zamber, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, did not state the number of members at today’s sitting, but only disclosed that the House suspended the lawmakers over an action described as “dishonorable and capable of causing acrimony within the House.”
The suspended 13 members were also directed to refund funds previously disbursed to them for an official foreign trip, as they will no longer participate in the journey due to their suspension.
The suspended members were accused of publicly disavowing the recommendation to remove the State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, after they had participated in the vote to oust the Chief Judge.
The suspended members were alleged to have held a press conference where they distanced themselves from the decision of their colleagues.
“The House also condemned in the strongest terms the dishonorable actions of the member representing Makurdi South Constituency, Mr. Douglas Akya, and Twelve others, some of whom after voting for the removal of the State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, went out to address a Press Conference denying voting in favor of the motion to remove the Judge,” the statement by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary reads in part.
The statement listed the suspended members to include the following: Mr. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South); Mr. Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina-Ala East); Mrs. Beckie Orpin (Gboko East); Mr. Simon Gabo (Ushongo-Mata); Mr. Williams Ortyom (Agasha); Mr. Onah Blessed (Oju 1); and Mr. Elias Audu (Gwer East).
Others are, Mr. Anyor Mato (Kwande East); Mr. Manger Manger (Tarka); Mr. Solomon Gyila (Gwer West); Mr. Samuel Agada (Ogbadibo); Mr. Abraham Jabi (Buruku), and Mr. Ezra Nyiyongo (Ukum).
The Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer, revealed that the Assembly had previously received a petition from the state Attorney-General accusing Justice Ikpambese of gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery, and corruption.
According to him, following deliberations on Tuesday, 23 out of the 31 members present voted in favour of the chief judge’s removal.
Tiseer therefore criticised his suspended colleagues for publicly rejecting a process they had actively participated in, describing their actions as “an afterthought and a deceptive posture.”
He argued that their conduct violated Order IX, Rule 58(6) of the House Standing Rules and urged the House to impose disciplinary measures.
The Majority Leader however did not disclose the number of lawmakers who sat on Wednesday, but only disclosed that the Assembly ultimately adopted the motion to suspend the thirteen members, reinforcing its stance against actions perceived as undermining the integrity of the legislative process.
Lawyer disagrees with Assembly
Contrary to the step taken by the Benue State House of Assembly, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Ms Theresa O. Abah, has said the lawmakers lack the powers to discipline the state Chief Judge, Justice Ikpambese.
While responding to an enquiry by National Record on whether a State House of Assembly or the National Assembly under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) has disciplinary powers over judicial officers, in this case, a State Chief Judge, Barrister Abah stated: “No! The National Assembly or a State House of Assembly cannot discipline judicial officers under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria without the National Judicial Council’s recommendation.
“The National Judicial Council (NJC) is responsible for the discipline of judicial officers. The NJC is established by the 1999 Constitution, and reserves the power to discipline judicial officers.
“The NJC also has the power to appoint judicial officers and can require judicial officers to appear before it and provide evidence or documents. It can take disciplinary action against judicial officers who violate the Code of Conduct, which applies to all judicial officers in Nigeria.
“Judicial officers who violate the Code of Conduct may be found to have engaged in judicial misconduct or misbehaviour. This is the right procedure; the Governor can only remove a judge based on the recommendation of the NJC.”
