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The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has condemned the recent removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Maurice Ikpambeae, purportedly because he is inciting the ongoing strike in the state.
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It is on record that the Chief of Benue state is not a member of JUSUN and cannot incite an action he is not part of the ongoing industrial action in the state.
While describing the removal as a threat to judicial independence, JUSUN noted that the action by the Benue State House of Assembly is a direct attack on judicial independence and an affront to the rule of law.
The National President of JUSUN, Marwan Adamu, who stated this in a statement issued in Abuja, noted that the judiciary is an essential pillar of democracy, and any attempt to intimidate, coerce, or remove judicial officers for performing their duties is unacceptable.
“The allegation that the Chief Judge is inciting a strike appears to be a deliberate ploy to silence the judiciary and undermine its role in upholding justice. Instead of addressing the root causes of the strike, the government has chosen to scapegoat the Chief Judge, which is a dangerous precedent for judicial officers across the country.”
JUSUN called on the relevant authorities to prevail on the Benue State House of Assembly to respect the constitutional provisions that guarantee the independence of the judiciary.
JUSUN said the discipline of a judicial officer has laid down guidelines that ought to be followed.
“The removal of a Chief Judge should follow due process, not political interference or executive high-handedness.
Furthermore, we urge all stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organizations, and the general public, to stand against this abuse of power. If such actions are allowed to stand, it will erode public confidence in the judiciary and weaken our democracy,” it said.
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