The Benue government has insisted that the removal of Maurice Ikpambese as the state’s chief judge stands.
In a statement, Governor Hyacinth Alia’s chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, urged the troubled Chief Justice to get ready to refute the accusations made against him by the state administration.
”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,” said Mr Kula. “We advise the embattled Judge to prepare to defend himself at the NJC.”
He emphasised that the state assembly’s actions adhered to the 1999 Nigerian constitution.
“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),” he said.
The NJC demanded on February 19 that Mr. Ikpambese continue to serve as Benue’s chief judge.
In a statement signed by a spokesperson for the council, Kemi Ogedengbe, the NJC said Mr Ikpambese remains the state’s chief judge until the complaints brought against him are investigated and deliberated upon by the council.
The NJC said the Benue State House of Assembly’s purported removal of the chief judge is unjustified.
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“Unfortunate as this development is, the 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,” the council said.
