February 20, (THEWILL) – The leadership of the Benue State House of Assembly has denied recommending the removal of a judicial officer but rather the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, in line with the House’s standing rules.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Saater Tiseer, who led three other members to address the media about the recommendation, accused the National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), and the Secretary, Dr Mobolaji Ojibara, of taking a hasty and biased position on the matter.
According to him, following a memo from the executive arm of the government regarding alleged fraud and other related misconduct against the Chief Judge, the House acted on the document during plenary and arrived at a decision to recommend his removal from office to pave the way for a full investigation.
“The House further referred the petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), to determine whether or not Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese is culpable of the allegations against him and to take appropriate action regarding his position as a judicial officer. This is in line with Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides thus: (b) in any case, other than those to which paragraph (a) of this subsection applies, by the President or, as the case may be, the Governor acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council that the judicial officer be so removed for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment (whether arising from infirmity of mind or of body) or for misconduct or contravention of the Code of Conduct.”
Hon. Tiseer said it is most appalling that Afam Osigwe (SAN) and Dr Mobolaji Ojibara did not take into account the above clear provisions of the Constitution before issuing their poorly researched and erroneous press statement, which castigated the House of Assembly.
“It is imperative to point out that the Constitution is clear and unambiguous, and the Benue State House of Assembly acted within the confines of the law and in the interest of Benue State, which is their primary constituency.”
According to him, it is imperative to clarify that the Benue State House of Assembly did not recommend the removal of His Lordship, Maurice Ikpambese, as a judge (i.e., a judicial officer). That issue will be referred to the NJC, as stated in the resolution.
He explained that the Assembly simply acted in line with Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution, which relates strictly to the office of the Chief Judge of the State.
Regarding the suspension of thirteen members over the violation of House rules, the Majority Leader pointed out that they fully participated when the matter of the removal of the Chief Judge was discussed on the floor during plenary.
“It was wrong for them to later convene at an uncompleted building to issue a press statement against the decision they were part of, thereby, casting members and the entire House in a bad light.”
He disclosed that if the affected members fail to apologise within the appropriate time frame, their suspension will be increased from three to six months.
The leadership of the House accused former Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Abba Moro of mounting pressure on the said members to behave the way they did, expressing disappointment that Governor Hyacinth Alia has come to do the right thing.
“Where was Senator Abba Moro when the then-Governor Ortom was not paying salaries, pensions, and gratuities in the state? This is all about the 2027 general election, as they are envious of Alia’s record of achievement”, he stated.
Honorable Tiseer, therefore, called on the people of Benue to be wary of politicians seeking to cause discord in the system for their own advantage.
