The Benue State House of Assembly has resolved to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Section 292 (1) A (ii) of the Nigerian Constitution, which governs the removal of a Chief Judge.
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This decision was made during plenary on Thursday, presided over by Speaker Aondona Dajoh at the Assembly complex in Makurdi.
The move follows a motion by Majority Leader, Comr. Saater Tiseer, who defended the Assembly’s earlier decision to recommend the removal of Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese after securing a two-thirds majority.
Tiseer noted that the Assembly had faced criticism from the Senate, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the National Judicial Council (NJC), despite its constitutional backing.
He further pointed out that the recent passage of a bill by the House of Representatives granting the NJC a role in the removal of a Chief Judge vindicated the Assembly’s stance.
However, he emphasized that, under the current Constitution, the NJC has no formal role in such a process. To resolve the controversy, the House agreed to approach the Supreme Court for a definitive ruling on the matter.
In other legislative matters, the Assembly summoned several officials and organizations to address critical issues affecting the state.
Among them were the Director-General of Public Procurement, the Commissioner for Finance, and the Attorney General of the State, along with Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Limited, who were called upon to explain why the renovation of Aper Aku Stadium had been abandoned.
The lawmakers also summoned the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment and the Special Adviser on Local Government Market Coordination and Monitoring to address reports of unauthorized levies being imposed on Benue farmers and buyers.
Additionally, the leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Benue State Branch, was summoned to explain the prolonged strike that has paralyzed the state’s judicial system.
The Assembly also called on the Managing Director of the Benue State Agricultural Development Company, Mr. Donald Aorkwagh Kule, to account for over one billion Naira released to his agency for purchasing assorted grains from Benue farmers.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, vowing to hold public officials responsible for abandoned projects, mismanagement of funds, and any actions that undermine the welfare of the people. More details will emerge as the situation unfolds.