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Benue Assembly approves dismissal of State Chief Judge
….. As 13 lawmakers kick against
The Benue State House of Assembly has proposed the dismissal of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, due to purported gross misconduct and misuse of authority.
The Assembly asserted that his removal would allow the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to conduct an investigation into the accusations made against him.
Furthermore, in a resolution passed on Tuesday, the Assembly suggested that the next senior Judge be sworn in to occupy the position that would be vacated by his dismissal.
The resolution of the House followed a correspondence from Governor Hyacinth Alia and read on the floor of the House by the Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tersee.
The correspondence alleged that the Chief Judge violated the ethical standard of the judicial system.
The Chief Judge was alleged to have overturned the Benue State Electoral law that was duly passed by the State Assembly and signed into law by the State Governor.
Justice Ikpambese was also accused of allegedly misappropriating the 2024 budgetary allocation of the Judiciary.
He was accused of undue favouritism, engaging with politicians and also being indirectly involved in the industrial action by judicial workers against the government.
The Chief Whip of the House, Peter Ipusu said the Chief Judge erred by tampering with the electoral law made by the State Assembly.
Calling for the matter to be put to vote, the lawmaker representing Gboko East, Becky Orpin moved a motion for members to vote on the matter. Her motion was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Blessed Onah.
Given the heated argument for and against the removal of the Chief Judge, the Speaker of the House, Aondona Dajoh asked the Clerk of the House, Mr. John Kwande to divide the House which saw 23 of the 32 member House voting for the removal of Justice Ikpambese.
Thirteen members of the Benue Assembly have distanced themselves from what they described as the purported resolution to remove the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
Some of the lawmakers earlier declared Ikpambese removed over alleged abuse of office and financial impropriety.
Hon Douglas Akya of Makurdi South Constituency said they dissociated themselves from the action while addressing journalists at the residence of Hon Beckie Orpin, in Makurdi.
The other lawmakers at the briefing include:
Hon William Ortyom – Agasha; Hon Jonathan Agbidye – Katsina-Ala East; Hon Samuel Anyor Matu – Kwande East; Hon Pastor Onah Blessed – Oju 1; Orpin Beckie – Gboko East; Hon Elias Terumbur Audu – Gwer East; Hon Nyiyongo Ezra – Ukum; Hon Abraham Zahemen Jabi – Buruku; Hon Gabo Simon – Mata; Hon Samuel Agada – Ogbadibo; Hon Gyila Solomon T – Gwer West; Hon Manger M Manger – Tarka.
They said: “This action is not only unconstitutional, it violates the principles of separation of powers and fair hearing which is necessary for the sustenance of democracy.
“The provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, clearly states a Chief Judge of a state can only be removed on recommendation of the National Judicial Council which is responsible for disciplinary actions against judicial officers on an address supported by two-third majority of members of the House of Assembly of a state praying for the removal of the state Chief Judge.”
“The attendance at today’s sitting was 31 members, the Speaker did not vote, and 13 members did not vote, therefore, it is unimaginable that in an Assembly of 32 members where 31 were in attendance and 13 members did not vote, the voting produced 23 votes,” he stressed.
They submitted that since none of the requirements for the removal of the Chief Judge had been met, they decided to distance themselves from the action as disciples of democracy and constitutionality.
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has announced that members can now decide whether to accept or donate the four main components of blood based on their personal conscience.
The organisation made this known in a statement issued by its World Headquarters in Warwick, New York and made available on its website on Friday.
According to the statement, “the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood is a matter of personal conscience.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses announce adjustment to blood transfusion policy
It added that “each Witness must decide whether or not to donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person.”
However, the organisation said its position on whole-blood transfusion had not changed.
“The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a core teaching based on the command to ‘abstain from blood’ (Acts 15:20), is unchanged,” the statement said.
International spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters, Paul Gillies, said, “Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God.
“We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”
The organisation said the adjustment “follows earlier updates regarding blood fractions and the use of one’s own blood during medical procedures.”
It added, “Since the Bible does not comment on such decisions, they are a matter of individual conscience. That same reasoning has now been extended to the four main components of blood.”
On medical care, the statement said, “Jehovah’s Witnesses love life and want the best available medical care. They do not practise faith healing, and they seek out doctors who can provide effective treatment in accord with their wishes, values and beliefs.”
Gillies said local congregations would not interfere in members’ personal decisions.
“Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience. We will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers.
“We are grateful, too, for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects our personal wishes regarding blood,” he said.
The organisation said Jehovah’s Witnesses number “over nine million worldwide, in congregations across more than 200 lands.”
Recall that the religious group had clarified its position on the use of a member’s own blood during surgery and other medical procedures.
The clarification allowed individual Witnesses to decide whether their blood could be removed, stored and returned to them during medical treatment, while the organisation maintained its position against receiving blood from another person.
Punch
The Nigerian Army has dismissed as fake and unverified a purported intelligence alert warning of planned Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks on schools, churches, mosques, NYSC orientation camps and other public institutions across the country.
Anele said the Army was aware of the circulation and had heightened vigilance across its formations and commands to prevent attacks on vulnerable facilities.
She described the purported intelligence as speculation and urged the public not to treat the document as an official Army security alert.
The response followed the circulation of a document purportedly signed by one A.M. Sodiq, which claimed that Boko Haram and ISWAP were planning coordinated attacks across several parts of the country.
The document listed churches, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations as possible targets and alleged that suspected ISWAP operatives had begun surveillance of selected locations.
It further claimed that the alleged attacks could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
However, the Army disowned the document, maintaining that it did not originate from the institution.
The Army assured Nigerians that security formations remained on heightened alert and were taking necessary measures to protect schools, places of worship and other vulnerable public facilities.
MINNA, Niger State — An engine oil seller in Minna, the Niger State capital, has reportedly sustained serious injuries after allegedly being shot during a police operation to disperse protesters.
The victim, identified as Ibrahim Mohammed Dada, was reportedly standing outside his shop at Tunga Market when he was struck by a bullet.
Ibrahim’s brother, Yakubu Dada Mohammed, said the victim was not part of the protest and was attending to customers at his engine oil stall when the incident occurred.
According to him, Ibrahim was simply trying to earn a living and support his family when a police officer allegedly fired a shot that hit him in the head and severely injured his face.
«“He was not among those protesting. He was standing in front of his shop selling engine oil when one of the police officers fired a bullet that struck his head and badly injured his face,” Yakubu said.»
Ibrahim is currently receiving treatment at Minna General Hospital, where his condition was reportedly described as critical.
The incident occurred amid protests in Minna over the reported deaths of 37 miners who were allegedly in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Reports indicate that 65 miners were arrested on September 15 and 16, with 37 subsequently reported dead while in security custody.
The protests, which began on Thursday, continued into Friday as security personnel moved to disperse demonstrators. Security forces were reportedly accused of using tear gas and live ammunition during the operation.
However, the circumstances surrounding Ibrahim’s shooting have not been independently established.
The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, appealed for calm and said the incident would be investigated.
The case has since heightened concerns over the conduct of security personnel during the ongoing protests.
Jehovah’s Witnesses announce fresh adjustment to blood transfusion policy
Army speaks on Boko Haram, ISWAP attack alert as fake
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