The Benue State House of Assembly has resolved to approach the Supreme Court for an interpretation of the constitutional provision regarding the removal of a state Chief Judge, following its recommendation for the removal of Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
The decision was made during a plenary session on Friday, where the Assembly discussed the issue in light of ongoing controversy and a new bill before the House of Representatives.
It was on February 18, 2025, that the Benue State Assembly passed a recommendation for the removal of Justice Ikpambese, the state’s Chief Judge, citing allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery, and corruption, among other accusations. The recommendation was based on a complaint filed by the state’s Attorney General. However, the move was met with condemnation from several quarters, including the Senate, the Nigeria Bar Association, and the National Judicial Council.
At the Friday plenary, the Benue State House of Assembly resolved to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Section 292(1)A(11) of the Nigerian Constitution, which relates to the removal of a Chief Judge. The decision was made under the leadership of Speaker Chief Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.
During the plenary, Majority Leader Saater Tiseer informed the House that after securing a two-thirds majority in support of the recommendation to remove Justice Ikpambese on February 18, 2025, the assembly faced widespread criticism from various groups. Tiseer also highlighted that on March 26, 2025, the House of Representatives passed a bill for a second reading, which proposed giving the National Judicial Council a role in the removal of a Chief Judge.
Tiseer noted that this bill, if passed, would mean that the NJC has no current role in the removal of a Chief Judge, as stated in Section 292(1)A(11) of the Constitution. He argued that the Benue State House of Assembly had been vindicated by the National Assembly’s actions, as the bill would reaffirm the state’s stance.
“The bill by the National Assembly means that the NJC currently has no role in the removal of the Chief Judge, as clearly stated in Section 292(1)A(11) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended,” Tiseer said.
In light of these developments, the House agreed to immediately approach the Supreme Court for a definitive interpretation of the constitutional provisions related to the removal of a Chief Judge, in order to settle the ongoing controversy surrounding its actions.
