… Security personnel barricade Benue High Court gate

From Scholastica Hir Makurdi

The moves to remove the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, assumed a new dimension, yesterday, as residents woke up to find that the main entrance of the state High Court has been taken over by stern looking armed police personnel.

The main entrance of the High Court premises was blocked with a heap of sharp sand while armed security officers were also sighted at the gate. A source at the state Ministry of Works claimed the sand was for the renovation of the complex.

One of the security personnel at the premises who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that they were deployed to the complex to secure the vicinity and also ensure the maintenance of law and order.

He said: “We want to ensure that this place is safe and secure, that is why we are here and nothing more.”

The development came after the House of Assembly approved his removal over alleged gross misappropriation of funds, misconduct and abuse of office.

The House, in its resolution, maintained that the CJ’s removal would pave the way for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate allegations leveled against him.

The Assembly also recommended the swearing in of the next judge in the line of seniority in order to fill the vacuum he would leave.

That resolution of the House has since been trailed by condemnation from various groups and has been voided by the NJC pending its investigation into the matter.

The state chapter of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has been on strike for about three months over unresolved issues of welfare of its members.