The Senate has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to address the alleged removal of Benue Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The upper chamber also tasked its Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights with investigating the matter and submitting a report in two weeks.
The motion, titled “Looming Constitutional Crisis in Benue State,” was sponsored by Minority Leader Sen. Abba Moro (PDP-Benue) and supported by two other Benue senators.
Moro expressed concerns that the Benue State House of Assembly’s purported removal of the chief judge, without proper legal procedure, posed a threat to democracy and the rule of law.
The senator pointed out that under the Nigerian Constitution, only the NJC has the authority to appoint and remove state chief judges.
He condemned the Benue Assembly’s actions as a violation of the Constitution.
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Sen. Titus Zam (APC-Benue) seconded the motion, alleging that the House Speaker was following an agenda, noting that 14 members of the Assembly had opposed the removal.
Sen. Emmanuel Udende (APC-Benue) also voiced opposition, stating the Assembly had exceeded its powers.
Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) reinforced that the NJC had already addressed the issue and that no political body should undermine constitutional processes.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the bipartisan support for the motion and affirmed that resolving the matter was in the national interest.
