The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have jointly called for the removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, over allegations of judicial interference and political bias in the state’s Local Government Election Petition Appeals Tribunal.
In a statement signed by CNPP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Comrade James Ezema and CNCSOs National Secretary Alhaji Ali Abacha, the groups accused Justice Ikpambese of orchestrating the removal of Justice Maimuna Ikwulono from the Appeals Tribunal due to her refusal to compromise judicial independence. Her replacement by Justice Mohammed has since raised concerns about the impartiality of the tribunal’s decisions.
The coalition linked the Chief Judge’s actions to a political power struggle involving Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume.
They allege that Justice Ikpambese, due for retirement next year, is seeking a senatorial ticket in exchange for using his position to influence tribunal outcomes and weaken the Governor’s political base.
According to the groups, four out of seven local government chairmen in Benue North-East (Zone A) have already been removed by tribunal verdicts, while no such rulings have occurred in Zone B suggesting political targeting.
They also cited video evidence of the Chief Judge at a political event allegedly boasting about plans to frustrate Governor Alia through strategic tribunal appointments.
Further allegations include the hurried creation of an emergency tribunal panel during the tribunal’s final month, which the groups claim led to controversial rulings, including the installation of candidates who did not participate in the elections — a move described as a “judicial ambush” against voters.
The fallout has reportedly resulted in the Benue State Government losing control of nine out of twenty-three local councils, heightening political tensions across the state.
The CNPP and CNCSOs condemned the removal of Justice Ikwulono based on an uninvestigated petition and criticized what they called unilateral interference in the judiciary. They emphasized that only the National Judicial Council (NJC) has constitutional authority to discipline judicial officers.
Praising the Chief Justice of Nigeria for ongoing efforts to preserve judicial independence, the groups issued a strong ultimatum, stating that , “If the Chief Judge does not immediately abandon plans to manipulate tribunal outcomes, we will mobilize mass protests and occupy the NJC headquarters until he is removed from office,” the statement warned.
They concluded with a call to defend democratic institutions. “The integrity of our judiciary must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. We demand immediate corrective action to protect justice and democracy in Benue State.”