Benue Assembly Crisis Deepens As 13 Members Are Suspended For Opposing Chief Judge’s Removal

Thirteen members of the Benue State House of Assembly have been suspended for distancing themselves from the removal of the state Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambase.

The lawmakers had met after Tuesday’s plenary to publicly dissociate themselves from the decision, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of the principles of separation of powers and fair hearing.

At an emergency plenary on Wednesday, February 19, the House imposed a three-month suspension on the 13 members, citing their actions as dishonorable and capable of causing acrimony within the Assembly.

The Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, stated that some of the suspended members had voted in favor of the Chief Judge’s removal but later addressed a press conference denying their support for the motion.

The suspended lawmakers include Douglas Akya (Makurdi South), Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina-Ala East), Beckie Orpin (Gboko East), Simon Gabo (Ushongo-Mata), Williams Ortyom (Agasha), Onah Blessed (Oju 1), Elias Audu (Gwer East), Anyor Mato (Kwande East), Manger Manger (Tarka), Solomon Gyila (Gwer West), Samuel Agada (Ogbadibo), Abraham Jabi (Buruku), and Ezra Nyiyongo (Ukum).

Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer recalled that the House had received a petition from the Attorney General accusing Justice Ikpambase of gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery, and corruption.

Following deliberations, the House held a vote in which 23 out of 31 members present supported the Chief Judge’s removal. However, after the resolution was adopted, the 13 suspended members retracted their stance, publicly dissociating themselves from the process.

Tiseer argued that their actions contradicted the House Standing Rules and described their retraction as a deceptive posture meant to cast aspersions on the Assembly. He, therefore, moved for their suspension for three months, a motion which the House upheld.