February 19, (THEWILL) – The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), has called for the reversal of the removal of Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese with immediate effect.
At a news conference in Makurdi on Wednesday, the State chairman of the Accord Party, Bishop Benson Ijachi who led the speech, said that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Fidelis Mnyim, must take responsibility for the Governor’s blunder.
“The Collation of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), in Benue State categorically condemns the unprecedented judicial rascality, intimidation and abuse of power orchestrated by the government of Benue State in its reckless attempt to remove the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, without following due process.”
The CRPP said the disgraceful act, spearheaded by Speaker Aondona Dajoh and the Major leader, Hon Saater Tiseer of the Benue State House of Assembly, is a clear assault on the rule of law and an affront to democracy.
“We hold the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, personally responsible for failing to properly guide the governor on the legal implications of this unconstitutional action. As the state’s Chief Legal officer, Mnyim should have been the first to caution the government against such an unlawful move”.
According to the CRPP, instead, Mnyim remained silent in the face of this blatant constitutional violation, saying if he is incapable of standing for the law and upholding the principles of justice, he should immediately resign.
“A man who aspires to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) or the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) cannot afford to take the state back to the dark ages of judicial lawlessness”, CRPP stated.
CRPP pointed out that such a shameful incident has exposed Benue State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Aondona Dajoh, as a body lacking basic knowledge of the law and legislative processes, saying the attempt to remove the Chief Judge is an abuse of power and a dangerous precedent.
“As political parties, we will not stand idly by while democracy is trampled upon. If this reckless abuse of power continues, we will have to escalate our concerns to the national leadership of all political parties, the National Judicial Council (NJC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
It called on the Benue State Government to immediately disconnect itself from the attack on the judiciary for peace to reign.
