A group of protesters on Monday picketed the national headquarters of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in Abuja, opposing the relocation of the Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal to the Federal Capital Territory.

The demonstrators condemned the move as a “clear violation of territorial jurisdiction and Benue State electoral laws.”

Brandishing placards with inscriptions such as “Save the Nigerian Judiciary,” “Corrupt Judges Must Be Expunged from the System,” and “Enough of Procured Court Orders,” the protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the judiciary’s handling of the tribunal’s relocation.

The controversy began when Maurice Ikpembese, the Chief Judge of Benue State, ordered the tribunal’s relocation from Makurdi to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja, citing alleged security concerns. However, on Friday, March 14, 2025, the All Progressives Congress (APC) obtained an order from an FCT High Court in Abuja mandating the tribunal’s sitting in the capital city.

Speaking to journalists during the protest, Igwe Ude-Umanta, the convener of the demonstration, accused Justice Ikpembese of disregarding Benue State’s electoral laws and violating the tribunal’s territorial jurisdiction.

“How on earth could a Chief Judge of a state flagrantly abuse his office by flouting state laws, and the NJC remains silent?” Ude-Umanta questioned.

He further alleged that Justice Ikpembese granted petitioners a waiver on security deposits— a constitutional prerequisite for filing petitions—without any repercussions.

“In an effort to uphold the Nigerian Constitution and Benue State laws, the Attorney-General of Benue State sought an order from the Federal High Court in Makurdi, which on March 7, 2025, restrained the tribunal from sitting outside Benue State, including at the NBA House in Abuja,” Ude-Umanta explained. “However, just a week later, on March 14, 2025, Justice M.M. Adamu of FCT High Court 34 issued a counter-order compelling the tribunal to sit in Abuja.”

The protesters submitted a petition to the NJC, demanding disciplinary action against Justices Maurice Ikpembese and M.M. Adamu.

“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’ to injustice,” Ude-Umanta said.

He called on Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to cleanse the judiciary of corruption and restore its integrity.

“We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the judiciary is not compromised,” he added.

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