The Benue State House of Assembly has resolved to approach the Supreme Court for clarification on Section 292 (1) A (ii) of the Nigerian Constitution regarding the removal of a Chief Judge.
During Friday’s plenary, the Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, argued that the Assembly’s decision to secure a two-thirds majority vote for the removal of Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese on February 18, 2025, was in line with constitutional provisions.
He described the backlash that followed as unwarranted.
It will be recalled that the Assembly had passed a resolution recommending the Chief Judge’s removal over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
However, the decision faced criticism from the Senate, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Judicial Council (NJC), and other groups.
Tiseer cited a bill currently before the House of Representatives, which passed a second reading on March 26, 2025.
The bill seeks to formally assign a role to the NJC in the process of removing a Chief Judge, which, according to him, validates the Assembly’s position.
“The bill at the National Assembly clearly shows that, as it stands, the NJC has no constitutional role in the removal of a Chief Judge, as outlined in Section 292 (1) A (ii) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” he stated.
Presiding over the session, Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh supported the resolution, emphasizing the need to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation to put an end to the ongoing debate.
The Assembly is now set to formally approach the apex court to clarify its constitutional authority on the matter.
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