Protest Erupts at NJC Headquarters Over Tribunal Relocation
Tensions flared in the nation’s capital on Monday as protesters stormed the National Judicial Council (NJC) headquarters, voicing strong opposition to the relocation of the Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja.
The demonstrators, wielding placards with bold inscriptions such as “Save the Nigerian judiciary” and “Corrupt judges must be expunged from the system”, decried the move as a “clear violation of territorial jurisdiction and Benue State electoral laws.” Other signs read: “Enough of procured court orders” and “The time to save the Nigerian judiciary is now.”
The controversy stems from an order secured by the All Progressives Congress (APC) last Friday from a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, which sanctioned the tribunal’s relocation. This decision followed an earlier directive by Benue State Chief Judge, Maurice Ikpembese, who cited security concerns in Makurdi as the reason for moving the tribunal to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja.
Addressing journalists at the protest, Igwe Ude-Umanta, the convener of the demonstration, accused Justice Ikpembese of violating Benue State’s electoral laws and acting beyond territorial jurisdiction.
“How on earth could a chief judge of a state flagrantly abuse his office by flouting state laws while the NJC remains silent?” Ude-Umanta questioned.
He further alleged that Ikpembese “unilaterally granted a waiver to petitioners of the local government election tribunal, exempting them from paying the constitutionally required security deposit for a valid petition.” He condemned the lack of disciplinary action against the judge.
The Benue State Attorney General had earlier obtained a restraining order from the Federal High Court in Makurdi, preventing the tribunal from sitting outside the state. However, in a shocking twist, Justice M.M. Adamu of FCT High Court 34 issued a contradictory order on March 14, compelling the tribunal to proceed with its sittings in Abuja at the NBA House.
“We are here today to submit a petition against Justice Maurice Ikpembese and Justice M.M. Adamu, who, by their actions, have converted the title of ‘justice’ into injustice,” Ude-Umanta declared.
He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekereke-Ekun, to take decisive action against corrupt judges, urging her to “restore the integrity of the judiciary.” He also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and prevent further erosion of judicial independence.
