A fresh plot has been uncovered against the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese. According to a statement from the Benue Arise Network (BAN), which was signed and issued by Joseph Igbudu, Publicity Secretary, Benue Arise Network said the plan involves a pseudo group intending to file another malicious petition against Justice Ikpambese before the National Judicial Council (NJC)
The petition aims to have the Chief Judge sanctioned by the NJC.
Sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State are allegedly concerned that the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, which Justice Ikpambese is expected to constitute, might not be compromised and would instead adjudicate on merit in the forthcoming local government elections.
Those behind the plot are reportedly worried that their candidates, who face legitimacy issues, require a compliant judiciary to secure favorable outcomes.
This development follows an earlier attempt on February 12, 2024, when BAN exposed a malicious petition submitted by the Benue Diaspora Vanguard (US Chapter) to the NJC, accusing Justice Ikpambese of alleged judicial misconduct, gross disobedience of court orders, abuse of power, and financial mismanagement.
That petition, served on the Governor of Benue State, was dismissed by the NJC at its plenary on May 15-16, 2024.
Despite the previous dismissal, those behind the new plot are reportedly determined to succeed this time, allegedly resorting to bribery. “They need a new Chief Judge who will do their bidding in the composition of the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal,” the statement from BAN read.
BAN has called on those sponsoring the faceless groups to desist from their actions, threatening to mobilize well-meaning citizens of Benue State and Nigeria to counter any further plots against Justice Ikpambese.
The group urges the public to disregard any upcoming media reports against the Chief Judge, labeling them as part of a calculated smear campaign to tarnish his reputation.
“We urge Justice Ikpambese not to be deterred or blackmailed into giving in to the whims of those seeking to discredit his reputation and that of the Nigerian judiciary,” said Joseph Igbudu, Publicity Secretary of the Benue Arise Network.
The situation remains tense as observers await further developments in this unfolding saga.
Read the full text below:
We write to draw the attention of the general public to a fresh plot against the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
Those behind the plot have concluded plans to once again use a pseudo group to maliciously petition Justice Ikpambese before the National Judicial Commission, NJC, to ensure the Chief Judge(CJ) of Benue State is sanctioned by the NJC.
The reason for the fresh plot is that, some people within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State are worried that the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal Benue State which is to be constituted by the Chief Judge of the state to handle complaints from the forthcoming local government elections in the state may not compromise and decide cases on their merit.
Those behind the plot are worried that those whom they may field as candidates have legitimacy issues hanging on their neck, and need a compromised judiciary for their candidates to succeed.
It will be recalled that, on February 12, 2024, the Benue Arise Network(BAN), drew the attention of the world to a malicious, frivolous and ill-fated petition to the National Judicial Commission(NJC), by a group under the umbrella of Benue Diaspora Vanguard(US Chapter ),
against Justice Ikpambese, dated November 30,2023, bordering on alleged judicial misconduct, gross disobedience of court judgment, abuse of power and financial mismanagement.
We also informed you that,same petition was served on the Governor of Benue State, calling on the governor to investigate the allegations against the Chief Judge of Benue State by the same group.
As expected, that petition was decided by the NJC, and it met it’s ill-fated status as it was dismissed.
The NJC under the chairmanship of the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, at it’s plenary on May 15th, 2024 and May 16th, 2024, resolved all pending petitions/issues, and Justice Ikpambese was not amongst the three judges disciplined by the NJC.
Pained by the outcome of their last petition, those against Justice Ikpambese have come up with a theory that ‘What money cannot do, more money will do’.
They have boasted that they will use money to bribe there way to ensure their petition against Ikpambese succeeds this time.
They need a new Chief Judge who will do their bidding in the composition of the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, Benue State.
As a group, we use this opportunity to call on those sponsoring the faceless groups to attack Justice Ikpambese to desist from such as we are ready to mobilize spirited individuals and well-meaning citizens of Benue State and Nigerians to counter any plot against the CJ who has done nothing other than to offer meritorious service to the Nigerian judiciary and Nigeria as a nation.
We call on the public to disregard any media reports against Justice Ikpambese in the days to come, as it is a well-calculated smear campaign against the Chief Judge of Benue State in other to discredit him, tarnish his image, reputation and lower his standing before right-thinking members of the public to set the stage for their evil plot.
Once again, we urge Justice Ikpambese not to be deterred or blackmailed to give into the whims and caprices of those who are bent on discrediting his hard-earned reputation and that of the Nigerian judiciary at large.
Signed:
Joseph Igbudu, Publicity Secretary, Benue Arise Network
