National Judicial Council (NJC) said removed Benue Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, remains in office.
Naija News reported that Justice Ikpambese was removed by the state’s House of Assembly in a resolution on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday by Deputy Director (Information), Kemi Babalola Bidengve, NJC stated that removal of judicial officers must follow Constitutional provisions.
The Council disclosed that it only received a petition against Justice Ikpembese on Wednesday morning.
It read: “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to a certain media report to the effect that the Benue State House of Assembly has purportedly passed a Resolution recommending the removal of the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maurice lkpambese from office.
“Unfortunate as this development is, Council wishes to reiterate that there are clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 on discipline and appointment of Judicial Officers vested in the Council, which clearly are not adhered to in the instant case.
“Although, the Council had this morning received a petition against Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, that petition is yet to be investigated in line with Council’s investigation procedure and the principles of fair hearing.
“As far as Council is therefore concerned, until the complaint is investigated and deliberated upon by it, Hon. Justice Maurice lkpambese remains the Chief Judge of Benue State.”
