x

Benue: Purported Removal Of Chief Judge, Unconstitutional, Says Idoma Lawyers

The Association of Idoma lawyers, has condemned in the strongest terms, the purported removal of the Benue State Chief Judge, by the State House of Assembly.

The association described the action of the lawmakers as a gross constitutional breach to destabilize the State Judiciary.

In a statement on Thursday, by Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) Leader, and Joshua Musa, (SAN), President, Association of Idoma Lawyers, the group submitted that they are stakeholders in the affairs of the Benue State Judiciary, and therefore, “will not be silent in the face of the uncivilized attack on this dignified arm of government popularly referred to as the “hope of the common man”.

The Idoma Lawyers insisted that any action done contrary to the sacred provisions of the Constitution is void adding that “the purported removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese is a nullity ab initio”.

While noting that the Members of the State House of Assembly swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Nigeria, however, the group said “this arm of government has brazenly violated the Constitutional oath the members took”.

It was the contention of Idoma Lawyers that Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the Constitution was not complied with in the purported removal of the Benue State Chief Judge.

“Thirteen out of the Thirty-Two members of the House of Assembly came out to show clearly that the Governor did not act on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly of the State.

“Unfortunately, news have it that this Thirteen Honourable Members have been suspended from their legislative functions for three months for choosing to honour the oath they took to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

“The process of removing a Chief Judge of a State was clearly outlined by the apex Court in the case of HON. JUSTICE RALIAT ELELU-HABEEB & ANOR. v. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION & ORS. (2012) 13 NWLR (Pt. 1318) 423 at 494 – 495 paras. D – G”.

According to Obla and Musa, “the above Supreme Court authority puts to rest the insistence by the Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly in his Press Conference in Makurdi on Thursday, the 20th of February, 2025, that the Chief Judge of the State stands removed from office.

“The role of interpretation of the Constitution is that of the Judiciary and not the Legislature.

“No amount of desperation to remove the Chief Judge can be justified under the present circumstance and the stand of the House of Assembly as voiced by Hon. Saater Tiseer, the Majority Leader, is an affront to the Constitution and the Rule of Law and a demonstration of crass ignorance of the Law and understanding of the Constitution” the Idoma Lawyers stated.

The Association posited that Benue State Judiciary has come a long way and has produced eminent Jurists, stressing that “the threat to the Judiciary in the State raises the question whether the Judiciary is being adequately funded”.

“The members of the House of Assembly were voted by their various Constituencies to effectively represent them and make Laws for the good governance of the State.

“This lame attempt to remove the Chief Judge of Benue State is embarrassing and regrettable.

“We commend the National Judicial Council, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Labour Congress and all other organizations and persons for their timely intervention.

“We also commend the Benue State Judiciary for the unity displayed at this trying time and the laudable resistance put up against tyranny and abuse of the Constitution.

“The Legislative arm of government in Benue State must learn to function within the province of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the group warned.

Hot this week

A’ibom: Police nab Monarch for attempted murder,nab two cable vandals

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo The Police in Akwa Ibom has...

The 22 Sins of El-Rufai in Kaduna, Nigerians Won’t Forget Soon – Civic Group

By Our Correspondent A Kaduna-based civic group, the Kaduna Leadership...

Governor Sule and the Two Horsemen: How Synergy Is Redefining Governance in Nasarawa

By Leo Zwanke, Lafia When Engineer Abdullahi Sule assumed office...

Army Captain Arraigned for Killing Terrorists’ Informant – Birnin-Gwari Vanguard Raises Concern

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and...

A’Ibom Commissioner seeks royal support for voter registration, Gov Eno’s Arise Project

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo Traditional leaders in Akwa Ibom have been...

Prof. Usman Ogbo Moves to Curb Rumoured Protest Over Fee Hike in Kogi Poly

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The management of Kogi State Polytechnic,...

New Green Empowerment Initiative Visits Sokoto Education Ministry

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The New Green Empowerment Initiative (NGEI)...

Sokoto Partners Livestock Insurance Firms to Boost Cattle Production

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto State Livestock Productivity and...

China Inaugurates 14th ‘Chinese Corner’ in Abuja

By Francis Wilfred The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has inaugurated...

Gov Sule Hands Over Headquarters Complex to North Central Development Commission in Lafia

By Israel Adamu, Jos Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule,...

Kogi Govt Vows to Clamp Down on Youth Aiding Bandits

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Kogi State Government has warned...

8th Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup Kicks Off September 18

By Anne Azuka The 8th edition of the Zenith Bank/Delta...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img