23 hours ago
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Justice Maurice Ikpambese
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria has condemned the recent resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly recommending the removal of the state Chief Judge, Maurice Ikpambese, purportedly for inciting the ongoing judiciary strike.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, JUSUN’s National President, Marwan Adamu, described the decision by the State Assembly as a direct attack on judicial independence.
Adamu stressed that Justice Ikpambese is not a member of JUSUN and, therefore, could not have incited an action he is not part of.
The Benue State Assembly had, on Tuesday, accused Justice Ikpambese of gross misconduct and violations of judicial ethics, recommending his immediate removal.
Allegations against him included actions deemed incompatible with his role as a judicial officer.
Adamu, however, argued that “the allegation that the Chief Judge is inciting a strike appears to be a deliberate ploy to silence the judiciary and undermine its role in upholding justice. Instead of addressing the root causes of the strike, the government has chosen to scapegoat the Chief Judge, which sets a dangerous precedent for judicial officers across the country.”
He emphasised that the judiciary is an essential pillar of democracy, warning that any attempt to intimidate, coerce, or remove judicial officers for performing their duties will be met with vehement rejection.
He called on relevant authorities to ensure that the Benue State House of Assembly respects constitutional provisions that safeguard judicial independence.
Adamu further insisted that the removal of a Chief Judge must adhere to due process and not result from political interference or executive high-handedness.
He urged all “stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, and the public, to oppose such abuses of power.”
He warned that allowing such actions to stand would erode public confidence in the judiciary and weaken Nigeria’s democratic structures.
“The action by the Benue State House of Assembly is a direct attack on judicial independence and an affront to the rule of law,” Adamu reiterated.
