Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency in Nigeria has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate allegations against the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
The Convener of the group, Okpanachi Jacob, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja said their demands became imperative following a resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly last week recommending his removal.
The state Assembly recommended his removal following a petition from Governor Hyacinth Alia over alleged infractions deemed incompatible with his judicial office.
The group therefore called on the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi to intervene in the ongoing judicial crisis in the State.
The group, led by Comrade Okpanachi Jacob , further issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate and take action against the embattled Chief Judge, warning that failure to act could lead to mass protests aimed at restoring integrity to the judiciary.
Jacob said the investigation conducted by the group revealed that the National Judicial Council (NJC) was in receipt of several petitions against Justice Ikpambese but has deliberately refused to investigate him.
He added that since 2010, there had been petitions against him even before he became the Chief Judge of Benue State.
It said, “Infact, for 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 times.”
The group emphasised that there are other petitions including the one acknowledged by the NJC itself on December 2, 2024, which was yet to be investigated even now.
It said: “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, favoritism, compromise and political interest.”
The group noted that it was 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 it said was already a miscarriage of justice.
It insisted that it is within its constitutional rights to insist that the NJC, Nigeria Bar Association (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.
It stated: “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.”
