FIC Report (Benue State) – The Benue State House of Assembly has resolved to approach the Supreme Court for an interpretation of Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the Nigerian Constitution regarding the removal of a Chief Judge.
Presiding over the plenary session on Friday, 28th March 2025, Speaker Chief Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh oversaw the motion of urgent public importance moved by Majority Leader Comr. Saater Tiseer. Tiseer recalled that on 18th February 2025, the Assembly secured a two-thirds majority vote in support of removing Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the Chief Judge of Benue State, following allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery, and corruption detailed in a petition from the State Attorney General.
The Assembly’s decision, however, faced strong opposition from various quarters, including the Nigerian Senate, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the National Judicial Council (NJC). In response, the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, 26th March 2025, passed a bill for second reading to grant the NJC a role in the removal of a Chief Judge, indirectly affirming the Benue Assembly’s position that the NJC currently has no constitutional role in such removals.
To resolve the ongoing controversy, the Benue Assembly has decided to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the constitutional provision that empowers it to recommend a Chief Judge’s removal.
Additionally, the House has summoned the leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Benue State Branch, to appear on Thursday, 3rd April 2025, to provide detailed explanations regarding the prolonged strike that has crippled judicial activities in the state.
Signed
Veronica Azemba
For Head of Centre, Federal Information Centre, Makurdi
