The Benue State House of Assembly has justified its resolution recommending the removal of the State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, saying it relied on the provisions of section 292(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to reach its decision.
Addressing the media Thursday in Makurdi, the Majority Leader of the House, Saater Tiseer flanked by other members explained that the resolution of the House was based on the allegations leveled against the Chief Judge with evidence of wrongdoings therein attached.
He maintained that “what we did was within the confines of Section 292(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigerian, as amended, which empowered the House upon an address by the Governor and supported by a two-thirds majority of the House, in cases of misconduct, his inability to perform his duties or any other ground provided by the law.”
He insisted that “the House did not remove Justice Ikpambese as a judicial officer but only recommended his removal as Chief Judge, as provided by law and moreover the petition against him has been referred to the National Judicial Council, NJC, for further action.
“So we acted within the confines of the law and did not violate any law as being portrayed by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, that hastily reacted to our resolution without seeking clarification.
“Moreover NBA relied on sections 153 and 271 which has no connection with the issue, to condemn our resolution. They quoted us out of context.
“We only made a recommendation based on the detailed correspondence we received from the Governor. We did not originate the petition, and we acted within the provisions of the law.”
The Majority Leader also defended the decision of the House to suspend for three months 13 lawmakers who disassociated themselves from the suspension of the Chief Judge.
He explained that they were left with no other option but to suspend them “because they acted dishonourable and we have given them the condition to apologise and if they do not apologise we will increase the suspension period.”
