The Benue State House of Assembly has recommended the immediate removal of Chief Judge (CJ) Maurice Ikpambese.
Accused of ‘gross violation of the ethical code of conduct’, and ‘despicable acts’, the recommendation follows a letter from Governor Hyacinth Alia and was made during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh.
In the correspondence, 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.
Misappropriation and mismanagement of the Budgetary Allocation and Finances of the Benue State Judiciary.
‘Engagement with politicians and political office holders’, for favourable judicial outcomes.
‘Indirect participation and incitement’, of the industrial actions against the State executive.
‘Acts of bribery and corruption and undue favouritism and dire insistence on cronies holding unmerited positions’.
The speaker, Aondona Dajoh asked the clerk to divide the House when two interests for and against Ikpambese were presented before him.
At the end, 23 members of the state assembly out of the 31 members voted for the removal of the Chief Judge.
