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Benue Judicial Crisis: Group calls for visa ban on Chief Judge, Registrar, others
The ongoing judicial crisis in Benue State has taken a new twist, with the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) now calling for a visa ban on the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, and the Registrar of the court.
The group is also demanding global restrictions on all individuals allegedly involved in judicial interference in the state.
The confrontation between the Benue State government and the Chief Judge has intensified due to allegations that Ikpambese granted a waiver to petitioners of the local government election tribunal, among other alleged infractions.
In a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, UN-WCD Secretary Ambassador Tunji Ashaolu expressed concerns over the erosion of public confidence in the judiciary, citing a series of conflicting court rulings. He warned that such incidents were spreading across the country, referencing similar occurrences in Rivers and Osun states.
Ashaolu emphasized that these issues directly contradict the principles set out in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG). These principles include promoting the adherence of states to universal democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law, which, in the case of Nigeria, should be upheld by the Constitution.
The UN-WCD had previously advocated for similar visa bans against individuals involved in judicial interference in Rivers State. However, Ashaolu pointed out that the Benue crisis warranted particular attention due to the state’s ongoing security challenges, which have led to the establishment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the region.
“The Benue State Chief Judge, the court’s Registrar, the current Senate Minority Leader, and all those publicly supporting the actions of the Chief Judge should face sanctions, including the cancellation of their existing visas and the imposition of a visa ban, just as we previously advocated for officials in Rivers State,” said Ashaolu.
The group also highlighted concerns about the human rights implications of allowing judicial officers to undermine institutions like democracy and the rule of law. They warned that such actions would hinder the state’s development prospects.
“We have credible information that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has yet to form an investigative panel to address the allegations against the Chief Judge,” Ashaolu added. “The Benue State House of Assembly has already recommended the Chief Judge’s removal, and the state government has forwarded this resolution to the NJC. The NJC should have taken action by now, they said”
The group called for the Chief Justice of Nigeria to proactively set up a probe into the matter, despite the NJC’s inaction on earlier petitions against the Chief Judge. They urged caution from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and NJC, stressing that any judgment should await a thorough investigation, with the presumption of innocence and due process guiding the process.
In their statement, the UN-WCD underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for public officials, including judges. “Acts of misconduct or abuse of power must be met with swift and decisive action to maintain public trust in the judiciary,” said Ashaolu.
The group vowed to continue monitoring the situation closely, advocating for ethical governance practices both within Nigeria and internationally. They also called on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to establish an independent panel to investigate allegations of financial irregularities and breaches of ethical standards against Chief Judge Ikpambese.
“Due process must be followed to ensure justice is served and public trust is upheld,” Ashaolu concluded.
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.
Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.
He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.
He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.
“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.
“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
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