Benue State, Nigeria – The National Judicial Council (NJC) has addressed reports circulating in the media regarding the supposed removal of Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the Chief Judge of Benue State. The Council clarified that recent claims—that the Benue State House of Assembly had passed a resolution calling for the removal of the Chief Judge—are misleading and procedurally unsound.
According to an official press release, the NJC stressed that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, clearly delineates the process for disciplining and appointing judicial officers. The Council emphasized that these constitutional provisions were not observed in the reported actions by the State House of Assembly.
The press statement also noted that while the Council received a petition against Justice Ikpambese earlier today, the matter remains in the early stages of investigation. In line with its established procedures and the principles of a fair hearing, the petition has not yet undergone thorough investigation or deliberation. As such, the NJC maintains that Justice Ikpambese continues to serve as the Chief Judge of Benue State until the petition is fully examined.
Symfoni News will continue to monitor the situation as further details emerge and will provide updates once the investigation proceeds.
