Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has distanced himself from a protest against the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpembese, over the controversial relocation of the Benue Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal from Benue to Abuja.
On Monday, March 18, hundreds of demonstrators from Benue staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, marching from the National Assembly to the Supreme Court to express their discontent with the CJ’s decision.
Controversy Over Tribunal Relocation
Justice Ikpembese had, on March 5, ordered the relocation of the tribunal to Abuja, citing security concerns. The tribunal is currently reviewing disputes from the Benue Local Government elections held on October 5, 2024.
Since October 17, 2024, 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the APC and PDP, have filed cases challenging the election outcomes.
The Benue State Government, through its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, criticized the CJ’s unilateral decision, stating that neither Governor Alia nor his office was formally notified.
Governor Alia’s Response
In an interview with The PUNCH, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, dismissed allegations that the state government sponsored the protest.
Tersoo stated:
“How can the government sponsor a protest when people listen to the news and read papers and they are enlightened and might have seen how court cases turned political?
“The government stands to gain nothing in sponsoring a protest; rather, it is focused on channeling resources to infrastructural development in the state.
“It’s unfortunate that the state Chief Judge has to go public, that he selected tough people to sit on the election petition tribunal.”
NBA Chairman Reacts
Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi branch, Terna Yaji, expressed concern over the growing political influence on the tribunal proceedings.
“The Federal High Court in Makurdi and the High Court in Abuja judicial division are giving conflicting orders, and in this case, there is uncertainty. But the latest order should take preeminence.
“It is unfortunate that the court case has become a political case and this is what we have been saying—that we should not allow politicians to interfere in court cases.”
Political Tensions and Calls for Judicial Reform
The Benue State Government had earlier attempted to remove Justice Ikpembese, citing misconduct and corruption. However, the move was resisted by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the NBA.
During Monday’s protest in Abuja, placard-bearing demonstrators denounced the CJ’s decision to move the tribunal.
The protest convener, Igwe Ude-Umanta, accused the Benue CJ of granting unlawful waivers to petitioners, violating constitutional security deposit requirements. He also criticized Justice M.M. Adamu of FCT High Court 34 for issuing an order that contradicted an earlier ruling restraining the tribunal from sitting outside Benue.
“Today, we are here as concerned Nigerians who believe in the rule of law. Our democracy is in clear danger, and the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, must save it.
“We are here today to submit a petition against Justice Maurice Ikpembese and Justice M.M. Adamu, who, by their actions, have converted the title of Justice to injustice.
“It behooves the Chief Justice of Nigeria to expunge corrupt judges from the judiciary to restore its integrity.
“We also call on President Bola Tinubu not to fold his arms and watch the judiciary go down. The Benue situation is the worst at the moment because the petitioners did not even participate in any of the process of the election.”
Legal Battles and Conflicting Court Orders
Justice Ikpembese had initially ordered the tribunal’s relocation to the NBA House in Abuja due to security concerns. However, on March 10, a Federal High Court in Makurdi issued a restraining order, directing that the tribunal should sit in Benue instead.
In response, the APC approached the FCT High Court in Abuja, seeking to reinstate the original order for relocation.
On Friday, March 15, Justice Adamu upheld the relocation, directing the tribunal to continue sitting at the NBA House in Abuja and restraining it from operating in Benue.
