Justice minister urged to intervene in Benue chief judge’s sack

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, has been called upon to wade into the issue revolving around the removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

The Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency in Nigeria (CGGTN), behind the call, premised their position on the dictates of Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

At a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob assured that the coalition would do everything possible to ensure that a peaceful Benue State is not thrown into a political crisis.

The coalition called on the Benue State governor and the State House of Assembly not to succumb to the antics of political enemies within and outside Benue State, who are now using some officials to hinder good governance in the state.

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The coalition argued that the Benue State House of Assembly cannot be faulted over the removal of Ikpambese since it relied on Section 292, Subsection (3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which states that the Chief Judge of a State can be removed from office if it is backed by a two-thirds majority of the State House of Assembly.

The coalition called on the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia, to immediately swear in the next judge in line as the Acting Chief Judge of the State.

The coalition noted: “In an ideal society, Justice Ikpambese should have stepped aside to pave the way for a proper investigation, but instead, he was quoted on Sunday, 23rd February 2025, during a church program, saying that he personally selected judges that would be too difficult for the governor to access.

“This is a clear testimony that he has compromised every step of the judiciary, including the local government election petition tribunal and its judgment. The people no longer trust Ikpambese to preside over the affairs of the judiciary, as he has permitted and waived the security deposit required by law in favor of a section of the political class.

“We make bold to say that, if the NJC and the Attorney General of the Federation fail to read the riot act to Justice Ikpambese and advise him to step aside, we shall occupy the NJC premises in a mass protest to press home our demand. We will do this to save democracy and restore order in Benue State.”