Godsent Ogbebor
Protest rocks Abuja over Benue judicial crisis
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Monday staged a protest at the Three Arms Zone in Abuja, calling on President Bola Tinubu and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to intervene in the ongoing crisis plaguing the Benue State Judiciary.
The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions questioning the integrity of certain judges, warned that “Nigeria’s democracy is in clear danger” and urged the CJN to take decisive action.
Addressing journalists, the Chief Convener of the coalition, Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, lamented the increasing politicization of the judiciary, stating that the court should remain an impartial arbiter of justice.
“The court in Nigeria has become more politicized than registered political parties,” he said.
He specifically accused the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, of abusing his office by unilaterally waiving the mandatory security deposit required for petitioners in the Local Government Election Tribunal, an action that violates constitutional procedures. Despite this, Ude-Umanta said, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has failed to sanction him.
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Furthermore, he criticized the relocation of the Benue State Local Government Elections Tribunal to Abuja, arguing that it was a blatant violation of the Benue State Electoral Law.
“In an attempt to protect the Constitution and the laws of Benue State, the Attorney General of Benue approached the Federal High Court in Makurdi, which granted an order on March 7, 2025, restraining the tribunal from sitting outside Benue State.
However, on March 14, Justice M.M. Adamu of the FCT High Court issued another ruling compelling the tribunal to sit in Abuja at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) House,” he stated.
Ude-Umanta questioned the legality of applying Benue State laws outside its jurisdiction and accused Justices Ikpambese and Adamu of undermining justice.
“We are here today to submit a petition against Justice Maurice Ikpambese and Justice M.M. Adamu, who by their actions have converted the title of justice to injustice,” he said, urging the CJN to cleanse the judiciary of corrupt elements.
He further alleged that some powerful Benue politicians, in collaboration with top police officers, were plotting to arrest and detain protesters opposing the tribunal’s relocation to Abuja.
“Last week, military forces were paraded around peaceful protesters at the NBA House in Abuja, the venue of the illegal tribunal sitting. However, we commend the FCT Commissioner of Police for maintaining professionalism and ensuring orderliness,” he noted.
The coalition called on President Tinubu to take urgent action to prevent further damage to the judiciary, describing the Benue situation as a grave injustice.
“We demand immediate intervention from Justice Kekere-Ekun, the President, and the NJC to restore the integrity of the judiciary and ensure justice for Benue State,” Ude-Umanta concluded.
