Toba Owojaiye reportingÂ
Makurdi, Benue State
Benue State is witnessing a fresh political storm as the State House of Assembly suspends 13 lawmakers for opposing the controversial removal of Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
Truth Live News gathered that the unprecedented and unsettling decision, comes just days after the Assembly voted to suspend the Chief Judge over alleged gross misconduct, has deepened divisions within the legislative body and drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and civil society groups.
The lawmakers, who initially participated in the vote but later distanced themselves from the decision, are accused of dishonorable conduct and violating House rules. In a statement by the Speaker’s office, the suspended members were also ordered to refund funds allocated for a foreign trip, since they will no longer be participating.
This move has triggered a legal and political showdown, with the National Judicial Council (NJC) rejecting the Chief Judge’s removal and senior lawyer Femi Falana calling for disciplinary action against lawyer-legislators involved in the process. As tensions escalate, the fate of both the suspended lawmakers and Justice Ikpambese remains uncertain, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle over governance and judicial independence in Benue State.
This situation in the Benue State House of Assembly highlights the deepening political tensions surrounding the suspension of Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese. The decision to suspend 13 lawmakers who dissociated themselves from the process underscores the fractures within the Assembly and raises concerns about legislative independence and due process.
The move has sparked widespread reactions, with legal experts and civil society organizations questioning the legality of both the Chief Judge’s removal and the lawmakers’ suspension. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to sanction lawyer-legislators involved in the process, while the National Judicial Council (NJC) has overruled the Assembly, insisting that Justice Ikpambese remains the Chief Judge.
With 23 out of 31 lawmakers initially voting for the Chief Judge’s removal, the reversal by some members raises questions about possible external influence or internal pressure. The directive for the suspended members to refund funds allocated for a foreign trip adds another layer to the controversy.
As this political and legal battle unfolds, the broader implications for the rule of law, legislative integrity, and separation of powers in Benue State remain at the center of the debate. How the judiciary and the state government respond in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the final outcome of this saga.