By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Civil society organizations under the platform of Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency in Nigeria, have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the National Judicial Council NJC to investigate allegations against the embattled Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

At a news conference Wednesday in Abuja, the group accused Justice Ikpambese of bias, political interference, and misconduct, warning that failure to act could lead to mass protests aimed at restoring the integrity to the judiciary.

The group’s demand followed a resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly last week recommending the removal of the Chief Judge after a petition from Governor Hyacinth Alia, citing alleged infractions deemed incompatible with his judicial office.

The group further called on the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene in the ongoing judicial crisis in Benue State, stressing the urgency of upholding due process and ensuring accountability within the judiciary.

The group, led by Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, thereafter issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the National Judicial Council NJC to investigate and take actions against the embattled Chief Judge, warning that failure to act could lead to mass protests aimed at restoring integrity to the judiciary.

He said; “Recent events involving the Benue state Judiciary is an example worthy of mention. The Benue State House of Assembly passed a resolution and recommended the removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Honourable Maurice Ikpambese based on petitions received on his alleged misconduct, abuse of office among other infractions.

The House relied on Section 292 Sub-section (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 two third majority of the State House of Assembly.

“The National Judicial Council NJC is a body saddled with the responsibility to discipline judicial officers.

“Let it be on record that, there is no part of the constitution that empowers the NJC to remove a chief judge from office but to discipline and recommend same to the Governor of a State who has the powers to remove a chief judge if found wanting.

“In the case of Benue State, we have investigated the entire process and discovered that, the NJC is in receipt of several petitions against Justice Maurice Ikpambese but has deliberately refused to investigate him. Since 2010, there have been petitions against him even before he became the Chief Judge of Benue State.

“In fact, the NJC’s statement that it received a petition against Justice Maurice Ikpambese just on Monday 19th February 2025 is misleading. Our findings show that the 19th February petition was the latest in recent time.

“Outside this petition, there are other petitions, including the one acknowledged by the NJC itself on the 2nd of December, 2024, which is yet to be investigated even now.

“Most worrisome, is the political waiver granted by the embattled Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Ikpambese to petitioners of the local government election petition tribunal which is a clear case of bias, favouritism, compromise and political interest. It is unholy for a Chief Judge of a state who set up the election petition tribunal panel and also constituted the appeal panel to have shown such bias, which is already a miscarriage of justice.

“It is obvious that under Justice Ikpambese, the judiciary is dead in Benue State.

“We wish to state in clear terms that, it is within our constitutional rights to insist that the NJC, NBA and other relevant bodies to do the needful by allowing justice to prevail but under Ikpambese as the Chief Judge, Benue Judiciary has collapsed.

“We strongly call on the Benue State Governor and the State House of Assembly not succumb to the antics of the political enemies within and outside Benue State who are now using some officials to distract this current purposeful and working government in the State.

“While we give the NJC 48 hours ultimatum to constitute panel, investigate, and prosecute Justice Ikpambese for his wrongful act of compromise, sabotage and bias, we recommend 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 State”, he added.