Ikpambese: Benue Assembly takes battle to Supreme Court over removal of chief judge

The Benue State House of Assembly has resolved to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation regarding its authority to recommend the removal of the state Chief Judge, following a bill before the House of Representatives proposing a role for the National Judicial Council, NJC, in such matters.

During its plenary session on Friday, the assembly reaffirmed its February 18, 2025, recommendation for the removal of Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese. The decision was based on a petition from the state’s Attorney General, accusing the judge of gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery, and corruption.

However, the assembly’s recommendation was met with strong opposition from various bodies, including the Senate, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the NJC.

At Friday’s session, Speaker Chief Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh presided as the House passed a resolution to approach the Supreme Court for an interpretation of Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the Constitution concerning the removal of a Chief Judge.

Majority Leader Saater Tiseer, who moved the motion, emphasized that despite the assembly securing a two-thirds majority to support the recommendation, it faced widespread criticism. He noted that the House of Representatives, on March 26, 2025, advanced a bill for a second reading to grant the NJC a formal role in the removal process.

Tiseer argued that the proposed bill implies that the NJC currently has no constitutional role in the removal of a Chief Judge, thereby vindicating the Benue State Assembly’s decision.

“The bill before the National Assembly confirms that the NJC has no existing role in the removal of a Chief Judge, as outlined in Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”; he stated.

The assembly agreed to promptly approach the Supreme Court for clarification on the matter to resolve the controversy surrounding its actions.