Benue Assembly Heads to Supreme Court Over Chief Judge’s Removal

The Benue State House of Assembly has decided to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation of its authority to recommend the removal of the state’s Chief Judge, amid growing controversy and opposition from legal and political bodies.

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

The recommendation has been met with strong resistance from the Senate, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the National Judicial Council (NJC). However, the Assembly argues that a new bill in the House of Representatives, which proposes giving the NJC a formal role in the process, suggests that the council currently lacks constitutional authority over such matters.

Speaker Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, presiding over the session, led the House in passing a resolution to approach the Supreme Court for an interpretation of Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the Constitution, which governs the removal of a Chief Judge.

Majority Leader Saater Tiseer moved the motion, emphasizing that while the Assembly had secured the required two-thirds majority for the recommendation, it faced backlash. He maintained that the proposed bill in the House of Representatives validates the Assembly’s stance, as it implies the NJC does not currently have a constitutional role in such removals.

“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,” Tiseer stated.

The Assembly is set to promptly approach the Supreme Court for clarification, aiming to resolve the constitutional debate surrounding its actions.