•Insists it acted within the law

The Benue State House of Assembly, has rebuffed insinuations by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, that it acted without due regard to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution in the suspension of the Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, insisting the Assembly acted within the ambit of the law.

This was contained in a letter dated March 5th, 2025, signed by the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, and addressed to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The Senate had in a letter signed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adegbanmire Adeniyi Ayodele, SAN, and addressed to the Benue Assembly Speaker, expressing deep concern over the purported removal of the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

He insisting that the action was carried out without due regard to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, particularly in respect to the tenure and removal of judicial officers under the provision of Section 292 of the 1999 constitution.

Senator Ayodele, had urged the assembly members to take necessary steps to address the issue, ensuring that all the decisions regarding the suspension of Justice Ikpambese, were in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

But in its response, the Benue State House of Assembly through the Speaker, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, said the assembly remained deeply committed to the rule of law and fully understands the constitutional safeguards surrounding the tenure and removal of judicial officers as enshrined in Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Dajoh, however, asked the Senate to consider the constitutional doctrine of federalism and separation of powers, insisting that matters concerning the appointment and removal of judicial officers fall within the jurisdiction of the state government, subject to constitutional requirement.

According to the Speaker, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters could only play an advisory role, emphasising that any of their directive or resolution, which encroached on the constitutional autonomy of the State Assembly could only be persuasive, especiallyas the constitution did not give them the right to superintend over the affairs of the State Assemblies.

While appreciating the Senate Committee for its concern and insights over the matter, the Speaker reiterated that the Benue Assembly acted well within its constitutional mandate in the case and as such, its decision remained lawful, final, and conclusive, except set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction.