Benue indigenes protest in Abuja over sack of CJ by Govt.

,,,seek CJN urgent intervention

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Thousands of protesters, led by the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria (CCSON), on Monday staged a protest and blocked all major roads leading to the National Assembly and Supreme Court to register their grievances over the ongoing judicial crisis in Benue State.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the Chief Convener of the coalition, Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, accused Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the Chief Judge of Benue State, of unlawfully granting a waiver to petitioners of the Local Government Election Tribunal. 

He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take swift action to resolve the crisis and ensure justice is served and also called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to immediately intervene and remove corrupt judges from the judiciary.

The demonstration, which saw participation from civil society organizations, human rights groups, and concerned citizens, featured placards and banners condemning the alleged manipulation of the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal by politicians.

This action was said to violate the constitutional requirement for a security deposit.

The group also alleged that relocating the tribunal to Abuja by the State Chief Judge was in direct violation of Benue State’s electoral laws.

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They expressed disappointment over the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) failure to take action against Ikpambese despite formal petitions regarding his judicial misconduct in the state.

 “The judiciary is the bedrock of any democracy, but today, it has become more politicised than registered political parties.

“How can a Chief Judge flagrantly abuse his office and the NJC remains silent?”

The order given  by Justice M.M. Adamu of the FCT High Court compelling the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal to sit in Abuja, despite a previous court order restraining the tribunal from sitting outside Benue State was not correct.

The protesters alleged threats of police intimidation but commended the FCT Commissioner of Police for ensuring orderliness.

Ude-Umanta vowed that the coalition will relent, adding that they will continue their agitation until justice is restored.