The National Judicial Council has rejected the removal of Justice Maurice Ikpambese as the Chief Judge of Benue State by the State House of Assembly.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by its spokesperson, Kemi Ogedengbe, the NJC said Ikpambese remains the state’s Chief Judge pending investigation into the allegations levelled against him.
The NJC said the purported removal of the chief judge by the Benue State House of Assembly did not follow due process, hence cannot stand.
The judicial council said, “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to a certain media report to the effect that the Benue State House of Assembly has purportedly passed a Resolution recommending the removal of the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese from office.
“Unfortunate as this development is, Council wishes to reiterate that there are clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 on discipline and appointment of Judicial Officers vested in the Council, which clearly are not adhered to in the instant case.
“Although, the Council had this morning received a petition against Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, that petition is yet to be investigated in line with Council’s investigation procedure and the principles of fair hearing.”
Recall that Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, had in a statement condemned the actions of the lawmakers, describing the Chief Judge’s removal as unconstitutional.
