By our correspondent
A diplomatic coalition has demanded a visa ban on Benue State Chief Judge Maurice Ikpambese, the court registrar, and several political figures over their alleged roles in the ongoing judiciary crisis in the state.
The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), an international advocacy group, also urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to appoint an acting Chief Judge to prevent a judicial vacuum and ensure the seamless delivery of justice in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Prof. Tunji John Asaolu, a diplomat and political scholar, expressed concerns over alleged judicial interference in Benue, Rivers, and Osun states, which he claimed had led to conflicting court rulings and political instability.
He specifically accused Justice Ikpambese of undermining due process by allegedly granting waivers to petitioners in the local government election tribunal, allowing them to bypass the required security deposit.
The group argued that such actions violate the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG), which emphasizes judicial independence and democratic integrity.
“We emphasize the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for all public officials, including judges,” Asaolu said. “Any acts of misconduct or abuse of power must be met with swift and decisive action to maintain public trust in the judiciary.”
The UN-WCD urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to thoroughly investigate the allegations before making any decisions regarding Justice Ikpambese’s removal.
They also called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to launch an independent probe, asserting that the NJC had yet to convene an investigative panel despite a resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly recommending the Chief Judge’s dismissal.
The diplomats further appealed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to establish an independent panel to scrutinize the financial and ethical allegations against Justice Ikpambese.
“We believe that any Chief Judge found guilty of unethical conduct should be held accountable, rather than shielded by legal technicalities,” the group stated.
The controversy surrounding the Benue judiciary, as noticed by WorldClass247News, continues to escalate, with calls for urgent intervention to restore public confidence in the legal system.