Justice Maurice Ikpembese
The Benue State House of Assembly has removed Justice Maurice Ikpembese as the Chief Judge and recommended the swearing-in of Justice Theresa Igoche, who is the next most senior judge as the acting chief judge of the state.
The plenary on Tuesday presided over by the Speaker, Aondona Dajoh became tense when the Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, read a letter from Governor Hyacinth Alia accusing the state chief judge of abuse of office, tampering with the state local government election law, corruption, inciting judicial strike, bribery and fraternising with politicians.
However, lawmakers were divided on the issue as the lawmaker representing Mata Constituency, Simon Gabo, drew the House’s attention to the arbitrary removal of Justice Ikpembese as state chief judge to no avail.
The letter was, however, adopted, and a counterpoint of order was raised by another lawmaker, Becky Orpin.
The speaker put the issue to vote, and 23 lawmakers voted to remove Justice Ikpembese as chief judge as he gave his ruling.
The removal of Justice Ikpembese was not unconnected with the leave of court granted candidates nominated under the Austin Agada-led All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue who are in court against the local government officials elected under the APC loyal to Governor Alia
