The Benue State House of Assembly has made a recommendation for the immediate removal of the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese. The recommendation is based on allegations of gross misconduct and violations of judicial ethics. It was revealed that the Chief Judge engaged in actions that were considered incompatible with the role of a judicial officer in Nigeria.
The decision to recommend the removal of Justice Ikpambese came after Governor Hyacinth Alia sent a letter to the House of Assembly, which was read during a session by the Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer. In the letter, the governor accused the Chief Judge of various offenses, including abuse of office by overturning a state electoral law, financial mismanagement, interference with judicial processes, inciting industrial action against the state executive, bribery, corruption, and favoritism.
During the session, Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh directed the House Clerk to conduct a vote, which resulted in 23 out of 31 lawmakers voting in favor of removing the Chief Judge. The recommendation for removal now awaits action from the executive branch of the state government.