Benue assembly defends CJ’s removal, faults NBA’s stance

The Benue house of assembly has defended its recommendation for Maurice Ikpambese’s removal as the state’s chief judge.

Speaking at a press conference in Markudi, the state capital, on Thursday, Saater Tiseer, the house majority leader, faulted the criticism against the decision of the assembly to recommend the removal of Ikpambese.

BACKGROUND

On Tuesday, the Benue house of assembly recommended the removal of Ikpambese over alleged abuse of office and gross misconduct.

The resolution was made after a letter from Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, was read during the plenary by Tiseer.

Twenty-three out of the 31 lawmakers in the house reportedly voted for the removal of the chief judge.

After Tuesday’s plenary, 13 lawmakers distanced themselves from the removal of the chief judge.

Subsequently, the Benue assembly imposed a three-month suspension on the 13 lawmakers.

On Wednesday, the National Judicial Council (NJC) said Ikpambese would remain in office until an investigation into the petition against him is carried out.

Subsequently, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) faulted the removal of the Benue CJ, saying that the decision was laughable.

‘NBA DIDN’T KNOW THE WORKINGS OF BENUE ASSEMBLY’

However, Tiseer said the NBA was “too hasty” with its criticism of the CJ’s removal, noting that the decision aligns with provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He added that the assembly did not remove Ikpambese as a judicial officer but as the chief judge.

“NBA did not understand the issues and the workings of the assembly, yet it called our resolution a sham,” NAN quoted the majority leader to have said.

“NBA in haste committed a fundamental error of basing its condemnation on a completely non-existent issue and from reports on social media.

“The house recommended the removal of CJ pursuant to its powers under section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution.

“The house did not recommend the removal of CJ as a judicial officer but as the CJ of Benue as provided by the law.

“The house did not originate any petition against the CJ; therefore, it has no business with the NJC because the law only empowered them to act on the address of the governor, which they did.”