The Benue State House of Assembly on Thursday criticised the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association over its recommendation for the removal of the state Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Makurdi, Majority Leader Santer Sateer accused the NBA of failing to consider the constitutional provisions before condemning the Assembly’s decision.

He stated that the House acted within its constitutional powers under Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers a state assembly to recommend the removal of a Chief Judge.

Citing the relevant section, Sateer explained that the Constitution allows for the removal of a Chief Judge, Grand Kadi of a Sharia Court of Appeal, or President of a Customary Court of Appeal by the Governor, acting on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly.

He said, “It is most appalling that Afam Osigwe (SAN) and Dr Mobolaji Ojibara failed to consider these clear constitutional provisions before issuing their poorly researched and erroneous press statement condemning the House of Assembly.”

He further clarified that the House did not recommend Justice Ikpambese’s removal as a judicial officer but as the Chief Judge of Benue State, in accordance with the law.

“The Constitution is clear and unambiguous, and the Benue State House of Assembly acted within the confines of the law and in the best interest of Benue State, which is its primary constituency,” he added.

He emphasised that the matter of removing Justice Ikpambese as a judge would be referred to the National Judicial Council (NJC), as required by law. The Assembly, he said, had only recommended his removal as Chief Judge, as permitted under Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution.

The NBA had earlier criticized the resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly, which directed Governor Hyacinth Alia to remove Ikpambese as the state Chief Judge.

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