The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended 13 of its members for three months, after they publicly opposed the controversial removal of the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambase.
The suspension, announced during an emergency plenary on Wednesday, follows accusations that the lawmakers engaged in “dishonourable conduct” by undermining legislative processes.
The crisis erupted on Tuesday, when the 13 legislators held a press conference, dissociating themselves from the assembly’s decision to remove Justice Ikpambase, calling the move “unconstitutional” and a violation of the principles of separation of powers and fair hearing.
They argued that due process was ignored in the chief judge’s ouster, which they claimed threatened democratic norms.
However, the assembly leadership countered that the suspended members had initially voted in favor of Ikpambase’s removal, during a prior session.
Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, stated that 23 out of 31 lawmakers present at the session, had supported the motion to remove the chief judge, following allegations of “gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery, and corruption” detailed in a petition from the state attorney-general and justice commissioner.
Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh, reading the resolution, accused the dissenting members of contravening Order IX, Rule 58 (6) of the House Standing Rules, which bars lawmakers from publicly denouncing collective decisions they participated in.
“Their actions are an afterthought and a deceptive posture, capable of causing acrimony and casting aspersions on the integrity of this House,” Dajoh said.
The suspended legislators include Douglas Akya (Makurdi South), Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina-Ala East), Beckie Orpin (Gboko East), and 10 others representing constituencies across the state.
Read also: CSOs support Benue community with solar power systems
The assembly emphasized that their suspension is aimed to uphold discipline and protect the legislature’s reputation.
Justice Ikpambase’s removal has sparked broader debates about judicial independence and legislative overreach in Benue State.
While the House insists its decision followed due process, critics, including civil society groups, have questioned the transparency of the allegations and the swiftness of the chief judge’s dismissal.
The suspended lawmakers have yet to respond publicly, but the move deepens political tensions in the state, with concerns mounting over potential legal challenges to both the chief judge’s removal and the legislators’ suspension.
