The National Judicial Council (NJC) has overruled the Benue State House of Assembly on its purported resolution recommending the removal of Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the state’s chief judge, from office.
While faulting the recommendations for being unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional, the Council drew the attention of Benue state lawmakers to the unambiguous constitutional provisions guiding the discipline and appointment of judicial officers in the country.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the NJC maintained that Justice Maurice Ikpambese remains the Chief Judge until complaints against her are investigated and legal steps taken on the complaint.
The statement signed by NJC Deputy Director of Information, Barrister Kemi Ogedengbe, read in part,
“The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to a particular media report to the effect that the Benue State House of Assembly has purportedly passed a Resolution recommending the removal of the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, from office.
“Unfortunate as this development is, Council wishes to reiterate that there are clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 on discipline and appointment of Judicial
Officers vested in the Council are not adhered to in the instant case.
The NJC admitted receiving a petition on Wednesday against the Chief Judge but said that the allegations had not been investigated in line with its investigating procedures and principles of fair hearing.
NJC maintained that she would remain in office as the chief judge until the complaint was investigated and the Chief Judge was found wanting.
