A group, the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s judicial system to restore public confidence in the country’s courts.
The group also demanded visa restrictions on the Benue State Chief Judge, the court registrar, the Senate Minority Leader, and others who have publicly supported the Chief Judge’s actions amid the state’s ongoing judicial controversy.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Amb. Dr. Tunji John Asaolu, a Professor of Politics and International Studies, urged Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to promptly appoint an acting Chief Judge to prevent a judicial vacuum and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of justice to the people of the state.
According to Asaolu, the call for reform stems from concerns over alleged interference by judicial officers in political matters in states like Rivers, Osun, and Benue — where conflicting court orders have reportedly been issued to obstruct democratic processes.
He cited an instance in Osun State, where a clash between a State High Court ruling and an Appeal Court judgment over the dissolution and reinstatement of local government chairmen created confusion and undermined the legal process.
The situation in Benue State, however, was described as particularly alarming. Asaolu alleged that Chief Judge Maurice Ikpambese attempted to subvert justice by waiving the security deposit requirement for petitioners in the local government election tribunal, contrary to legal provisions.
The UN-WCD argued that such actions violate the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG), which emphasizes respect for constitutional order, human rights, and the rule of law.
The diplomats also urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to proceed with caution and avoid premature conclusions regarding Justice Ikpambese’s removal until a thorough investigation is conducted.
“We emphasize the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for all public officials, including judges. Any acts of misconduct or abuse of power must be met with swift and decisive action to maintain public trust and confidence in the judiciary,” they stated.
“We can assure you that we will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for ethical governance practices in Nigeria and beyond.”
The group criticized the NJC for not yet constituting an investigative panel to address allegations against the Chief Judge, despite a resolution from the Benue State House of Assembly recommending his removal.
“The Benue State Chief Judge, the Registrar of the court, the current Senate Minority Leader, and all those who supported the actions of the Chief Judge publicly should be sanctioned and have their existing visas canceled and visa ban issued against them just as we advocated in the case of Rivers State and INEC officials who purposely sabotaged democratic principles during elections,” the group asserted.
They also urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to step in, arguing that even if the NJC has been slow to act on past petitions, the most recent resolution from the state legislature should have already prompted an investigation.
Additionally, the group called on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, to set up an independent panel to investigate the allegations of financial misconduct and ethical breaches leveled against Chief Judge Ikpambese.
They stressed the need for a transparent process to ensure justice is served and public confidence in the judiciary is restored.
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