- Alia Disclaims CJ’s Allegations
- Assembly lacks authority to remove Chief Judge – NBA
By Amos Aar
THE EMBATTLED Chief Judge (CJ) of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, has accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of attempting to remove him from office due to his (Ikpambese) insistence in appointing neutral and upright judges to preside over the local government election petitions as against the pressure on him to appoint government’s chosen judges who would favour the desires of.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Justice Ikpambese denied any wrongdoing, asserting that his only “offense” was appointing neutral judges to oversee the cases.
Justice Ikpambese, who spoke in Tiv language, said: “I was pressured to appoint judges of their choice to preside over local government election petitions, but I refused. That is my only crime,” Ikpambese stated.
“The law empowers me to make these appointments, and I do so with prayer and careful scrutiny. When I appointed judges who are neutral and they felt might not favour them, things took this turn. The judgments are not even ready, yet they are already reacting this way,” the CJ stated further.
He also alleged threats to his life and interference with his office. “As I speak, they have blocked my office gate with sand to prevent me from entering. Today, they attempted to kill me in my office, but God saved me,” Justice Ikpambese claimed.
“They are using state funds meant for development to bribe people and execute their agenda. But I assure you, I will remain the Chief Judge until God decides otherwise.”
Alia dismisses allegations
However, Governor Hyacinth Alia has dismissed Justice Ikpambese’s claims, stating that his removal process is based on serious allegations of corruption and misconduct.
In a statement titled: “Justice Ikpambese’s Political Outing Fails to Address Serious Allegations of Corruption and Misconduct Against Him”, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, Tersoo Kula, criticised the judge’s public remarks.
“We watched with disappointment as the embattled Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, attempted to divert public attention from the grave allegations against him, which prompted the Benue State House of Assembly to pass a resolution permitting his removal.
“It is shocking that a judicial officer of his rank would resort to public theatrics, spreading falsehoods, and blackmailing the government instead of addressing the accusations against him,” Kula stated.
Kula also accused Justice Ikpambese of mismanaging over ₦600 million in judiciary funds, interfering in state electoral laws, and engaging with politicians for favourable judicial outcomes.
“Instead of refuting the allegations of misappropriation, favoritism, and corruption, he chose to mislead the public and seek sympathy,” he added.
The state government maintained that the House of Assembly acted in accordance with the law.
“The Assembly’s decision aligns with Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the Constitution, which allows a Chief Judge’s removal through a resolution supported by two-thirds of the Assembly,”
“His alleged offenses have been forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for adjudication, as stipulated in Section 153(1)(i) of the 1999 Constitution,” Kula asserted.
NBA condemns Assembly
Meanwhile, the Benue State chapter pf the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the House of Assembly’s resolution, arguing that it lacks the authority to remove the Chief Judge.
“The Chief Judge has not been removed because the House of Assembly does not have the power to do so,” NBA Makurdi Chairman, Terna Yaji, stated in an interview with Galaxy TV.
“The rule of law must be upheld, and we urge the Assembly to rescind its decision.”
As the controversy unfolds, legal and political tensions continue to mount, with the final decision on Justice Ikpambese’s fate firmly resting with the NJC.
