The National Judicial Council (NJC) has canceled the suspension of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Maurice Ikpambese, by the State House of Assembly.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Kemi Ogendengbe, the NJC said the Assembly’s action went against the Constitution, which gives only the NJC the power to investigate and discipline judges.
The statement reads: “The attention of the NJC has been drawn to a certain media report to the effect that the Benue State House of Assembly has purportedly passed a resolution recommending the removal of the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, from office.
“Unfortunate as this development is, Council wishes to reiterate that there are clear and unambiguous provisions of the 1999 Constitution on discipline and appointment of judicial officers vested in the Council, which clearly are not adhered to in the instant case.
“Although the Council this morning received a petition against Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, that petition is yet to be investigated in line with council’s investigation procedure and the principles of fair hearing.
“As far as council is therefore concerned, until the complaint is investigated and deliberated upon by it, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese remains the Chief Judge of Benue State.”
The Benue State House of Assembly had suspended the Chief Judge over allegations of misusing judiciary funds and mismanaging the budget.
The suspension was based on a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr. Saater Tiseer, and seconded by Mr. Peter Ipusu.
Tiseer accused Ikpambese of working closely with politicians to get favorable court rulings.
He also accused her of corruption, favouritism in judicial appointments, and abuse of office by overturning the Benue State Electoral Law, which was passed by the Assembly and approved by the governor.
After the motion, the Speaker, Mr. Hyacinth Dajoh, ordered the swearing-in of the next most senior judge as Acting Chief Judge.
He also said that a petition against Ikpambese would be sent to the NJC for investigation.
In another development, the Assembly suspended 13 members for three months for actions that the Speaker described as dishonorable and “capable of causing aspersions and causing acrimony in the House.”
The suspended lawmakers, including Mr. Douglas Akya, had held a press conference where they disagreed with the decision to remove the Chief Judge.
The House also directed the Clerk to take back the money already paid to the suspended members for their planned trip to London and stop them from going on the trip.
