A group known as the ‘Benue All Progressives Congress Elders’ Forum’ on Saturday expressed support for the Benue State House of Assembly’s recommendation to remove the state Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi, former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party and spokesperson for the group, Senator Barnabas Gemade, stated that the party’s elders fully back the assembly’s resolution for the Chief Judge’s removal.
He revealed that there was alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of about N667 million under the chief judge’s watch in just one year.
The party elders also commended the house for suspending 13 members for ridiculing the house after the house resolution to suspend the CJ.
Gemade said, “After a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese’s removal, it is clear that the Benue State House of Assembly acted within the constitutional framework outlined in Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“We stand in solidarity with the Assembly on this decision, especially given the serious allegations that necessitated such action including mismanagement of the sum of N666,984,687.20k in less than one year and manifest abuse of office by acting outside the scope of his work as the Chief Judge evidenced in granting a waiver of Section 76 of the Benue State Electoral law duly passed by the Benue State House of Assembly and assented to by the Executive Governor of Benue State amongst other grievous misconduct.”
The party elders called on all stakeholders in the state to prioritise unity and cooperation and urged the opposition to engage constructively rather than seeking to undermine our progress.
“The APC Benue Elders’ Forum remains committed to supporting our state government and ensuring that Benue continues on its trajectory of development which had eluded the state in its recent past,” he said.
The elders also used the opportunity to pass a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu for maintaining faith with the Renewed Hope Agenda, promising to give their support to both the president and the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, come 2027.
