NJC currently has no role in the removal of the chief judge, as stated in Sections 292 (1) a (11) of the Constitution [1)
By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly, yesterday, during plenary presided over by Speaker, Aondona Dajoh at the Assembly complex in Makurdi, resolved to approach the Supreme Court for clarification on Section 292 (1) A (11) of the Nigerian Constitution, which pertains to the removal of a chief judge.
The move followed a motion by Majority Leader Comr. Saater Tiseer, who informed the House that despite securing a two-thirds majority to recommend the removal of Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the Assembly has faced criticism from various quarters, including the Senate, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Tiseer noted that the House of Representatives recently passed a bill granting the NJC a role in the removal of a chief judge, which he believed vindicated the Benue State House of Assembly’s actions.
He however, emphasized that the NJC currently has no role in the removal of the chief judge, as stated in Sections 292 (1) a (11) of the Constitution [1).
To resolve the controversy, the House agreed to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation on the matter.
In other developments, the House summoned several individuals and organizations to appear before it, including: Director General, Public Procurement, Commissioner for Finance, Attorney General of the State, and Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Limited specifically to explain why the contract for the renovation work at Aper Aku Stadium has been abandoned.
The House also summoned Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment and Special Adviser, Local Government Market Coordination and Monitoring to address the issue of saboteurs imposing indiscriminate levies on Benue farmers and buyers while leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Benue State Branch to explain the prolonged strike that has paralyzed the judicial system in the state.
The lawmakers, during the plenary, equally urged the Managing Director, Benue State Agricultural Development Company, Mr. Donald Aorkwagh Kule to account for the over one billion Naira released to his agency to purchase assorted grains from Benue farmers.