The Chief Judge of Benue state, Justice Maurice Ikpambese has said that the Benue state governor Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia wants him to be removed because he refused to appoint his preferred judges to act as members of the Local government Election tribunal.
In a speech at a burial of one of his relatives in Kwande local government of the State, Justice Ikpambese assured his kinsmen that there was no cause for alarm as he remains the Chief Judge of Benue state until when God wants him to leave.
It will be recalled that the Benue State House of Assembly recommended the immediate removal of Chief Judge Maurice Ikpambese, accusing him of “gross violation of the ethical code of conduct” and “despicable acts” following a letter from the Governor Hyacinth Alia to the House.
In the correspondence from the governor, which was read by the Majority Leader of the house, Saater Tiseer, Alia raised five allegations against the Chief Judge.
Among the allegations are; “Abuse of office by issuing a directive to overturn the Benue State Electoral Law passed by the Benue State House of Assembly and assented to by the Governor of the State.
The National Judicial Council however over ruled the state Assembly, saying the recommendation was unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional,while drawing the attention of the Benue State lawmakers to the clear and unambiguous constitutional provisions guiding the discipline and appointment of judicial officers in the country.
In a speech at the burial which has since gone viral, the state chief Judge said he was being targeted because of his principles stand on the selection of members of the local government Election Tribunal.
The Chief Judge who spoke in Tiv Language said
“All that you have been hearing and maybe some of you think something has gone wrong, but I want to inform you that nothing has gone wrong. When you stand for the truth, they will definitely want to humiliate you. I don’t want to say much, but a lot of people don’t know. Just like they have forced me to speak today, when they forced me to appoint a particular judge to handle the Local Government Election case, I said no and that has been my offense. I have not done anything else wrong.
“Their problem with me is the Judges I have nominated to preside over the local government election Tribunal. It’s me that the law gives me the power to appoint. And before I appoint them, I pray because it’s a serious matter. I pray and assess them before certifying them to do the work. If you are close to the people I suspect to have interest, I won’t appoint you. That’s why when I made the appointment of those who will sit over the petitions which they seem to find unfavourable, even before the judgment is passed, it has become a problem. And that’s why they’re angry.
“As I speak to you now, they have gone to block the gate into my courtroom with sharp sand so I won’t gain access to it. Yesterday, they tried to kill me, but God delivered me. But I want to tell you that in Abuja, those who oversee my affairs, they have told them that they are not aware of what they did.
“It’s the money they sent to the State for development and tackle issues confronting us in Benue that they are using to bribe people against me.
“Our brothers are hungry and when a man is hungry, he does what he’s not supposed to do. But by the grace of God, I’m telling you that you shouldn’t worry because nothing will happen. They will keep misbehaving, and I will keep being the Chief Judge until God says otherwise” he said.
Calls and text messages to the Chief Press secretary to governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula were unanswered at the time of sending this report.
One Response
And the governor is a priest right? Just asking for a colleague…