Coalition urges AGF, NJC intervention in Benue judicial crisis
the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the National Judicial Council have been urged to intervene in the judicial crisis in Benue State.
The PUNCH reports that the Benue State House of Assembly passed a resolution, recommending the removal of the state Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, based on petitions received from Governor Hyacinth Alia on alleged misconduct, abuse of office, among others.
The House relied on Section 292 subsection (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states that the CJ can be removed from office if it is backed by a two-thirds majority of the state House of Assembly.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, on Wednesday, the leader of a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, under the aegis of Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency in Nigeria, Okpanachi Jacob, called on Fagbemi to ensure due process was followed.
“We call on the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately intervene and ensure the constitutional provision of the rights and privileges of the Benue State House of Assembly members as well as the constitutional powers of the governor who has the powers to remove a Chief Judge in line with Section 292 of the 1999 constitution as amended should be exercised,” he said.
Jacob also called on the NJC to investigate allegations against the embattled CJ within 48 hours.
“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 the same to the governor of a state, who has the powers to remove a chief judge if found wanting.
“We wish to state in a clear term that it is within our constitutional rights to insist that the NJC, Nigeria Bar Association and other relevant bodies do the needful by allowing justice to prevail.
“While we give the NJC 48 hours ultimatum to constitute a panel, and investigate Justice Ikpambese over the allegations, we recommend Governor Hyacinth Alia to immediately swear in the next judge in line as the acting CJ in the state.”
