Impeachment saga: ‘Stop this judicial rascality, face governance- CRPP tells Gov. Alia

…. Says Assembly must apologize to Benue people 

From, Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Collation of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Benue State, on Wednesday, categorically condemned what they  described as “unprecedented judicial rascality, intimidation, and abuse of power” orchestrated by State government in attempt to remove the state Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, without following due process. 

Recall that Benue State House of Assembly had recommended for the removal of the State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese over allegation of gross misconduct, including misappropriation of funds, abuse of office following a letter forwarded to the house by executive governor Hyacinth Alia.

They said  the act spearheaded by Speaker Aondona Dajoh and the Major leader, Saater Tiseer of the Benue State House of Assembly, is a clear assault on the rule of law and an affront to democracy.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi, leader of the coalition, Bishop Ben Ijachi, said the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, must personally be held responsible for failing to properly guide the governor on the legal implications of this unconstitutional action. 

He said as the chief legal officer of the state, Mnyim should have been the first to caution the government against such an unlawful move, instead, he has remained silent in the face of this blatant constitutional violation.

” If he is incapable of standing for the law and upholding the principles of justice, he should immediately resign. A man who aspires to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) or the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) cannot afford to take the state back to the dark ages of judicial lawlessness.

“Furthermore, this shameful incident has exposed the Benue State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Aondona Dajoh, as a body lacking basic knowledge of the law and legislative processes. The fact that these legislators could attempt such an unconstitutional act shows their ignorance and total disregard for due process.

” It is alarming that individuals who are expected to make laws for the good people of Benue lack a fundamental understanding of legal principles. They have not only disgraced themselves but have dragged the entire state into public disrepute. We call on them to bury their heads in shame.

“The attempt to remove the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, is an outrageous abuse of power and a dangerous precedent. The judiciary is the last hope of the common man, and any attempt to undermine its independence must be strongly resisted. We, as political parties operating in Benue State, condemn this shameless act in its entirety and declare that enough is enough!

“The rule of law must be upheld, and the judiciary must be allowed to function effectively as the third arm of government, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The judiciary should remain free from any form of interference from the Benue State Government.

“It is deeply troubling that such acts of intimidation are happening under the leadership of a Catholic priest who should uphold justice, fairness, and moral integrity. But unfortunately, there are wide spread allegation of huge financial inducement at the expense of the State to orchestrate such archaic political travesty.

“As political parties, we will not stand idly by while democracy is trampled upon. If this reckless abuse of power continues, we will have no choice but to escalate our concerns to the national leadership of all political parties, the National Judicial Council (NJC), and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, Ijachi stated.

The coalition however called on the Benue State Government to immediately disconnect itself from this evil, shameful, and unconstitutional attack on the judiciary. The people of Benue have spoken, and as it is rightly said, “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

CRPP  therefore, demanded for an immediate reversal of the attempt to remove the Chief Judge and insisting that  Benue State House of Assembly apologize to people of the state for embarrassing and undermining democracy.

Bishop Ijachi added that anything short of this will be seen as a deliberate effort to destroy the judiciary and the rule of law in the State.