LEGAL ASSOCIATION EXPOSES PLAN TO SUPPRESS ALIA'S PETITION ON EMBATTLED CJ

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LEGAL ASSOCIATION EXPOSES PLAN TO SUPPRESS ALIA’S PETITION ON EMBATTLED CJ

Human Rights Law Association has called on the National Judicial Council, NJC to resist attempts by politicians to suppress a petition which the Governor of Benue state, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia had sent to the Council two months ago about the embattled Chief Judge of the state, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

Recall that the Benue State House of Assembly had two months ago made a recommendation to Governor Hyacinth Alia that Justice Maurice Ikpambese be removed from office after an investigation by the House as a result of some weighty allegations made against him.

According to Speaker Dajoh Aondoana, after a critical investigation into the allegations made against Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the embattled Chief Judge was indicted of gross financial misappropriation, active partisanship and corruption, and a recommendation for his dismissal was sent to Governor Alia who in turn sent a petition to the National Judicial Council for a consideration and action.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Law Association this morning raised an alarm that some politicians from the state mainly the federal appointees and members of the National Assembly Caucus led by Dr. Titus Zam have donated an undisclosed amount of money meant to induce the NJC to suppress the governor’s petition on the embattled Chief Judge.

Barrister Jude Okechukwu, PhD who spoke on behalf of Human Rights Law Association on a live broadcast this morning said that the plan is to make the National Judicial Council shelf the petition and clear Justice Maurice Ikpambese from wrong doing.

Barrister Jude Okechukwu who alleged that the politicians behind the plot are doing so as a result of the leadership tussle between Dr. George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia also listed Senators Titus Zam, Emmanuel Udende and Abba Moro, some members of the National Assembly from Benue state, Mr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council and Mr. Matthias Byuan, the Executive Director of Finance and Accounts of the Federal Housing Authority as the donors.

The legal association however called on the National Judicial Council not to allow some “selfish” politicians throw Benue state into darkness just because that are trying to protect the embattled Chief Judge whom they believe is in office to do their biddings.

The group also called on the NJC to look into the petition from Governor Alia which contains all the allegations against Maurice Ikpambese critically to determine if such accusations can be swept under the carpet.

“How can you say that an actively partisan Chief Judge of a state should continue to remain in office when it’s clear that he has betrayed the ethics of his legal profession. He has been holding meetings with politicians and there is no way he can continue as a Chief Judge. Someone who was indicted by the state lawmakers to have committed frauds and financial misappropriation, and you want him to remain in office” the group stated.

Barrister Jude Okechukwu also directed the NJC to a February 22, 2025 video of Justice Ikpambese where he spoke like a politician instead of a judicial officer which he should be.