ONJEH’s NJC OUTBURSTS: A MISPLACED OUTCRY ROOTED IN PARTISAN SENTIMENTALITY
In reaction to the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal’s rulings, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, a known political ally of Governor Hyacinth Alia, launched a vehement criticism of the tribunal’s verdicts. However, a closer analysis of his statements reveals an outburst steeped in selective outrage, partisan sentiment, and a deliberate misrepresentation of judicial proceedings.
MIDDLE BELT CHRISTIANS FORUM (MBCF) CONDEMNS BENUE STATE GOVERNMENT ON THE DAILY ASSULT, BLACKMAIL AND THE ASSASSINATION OF CHARACTER OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA
*.Warns Gov Alia on the Consequences of his Fight Against the Judiciary
25TH MARCH, 2025.
PRESS RELEASE.
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, the only son of the living God.
1.The MIDDLE BELT CHRISTIANS FORM (MBCF) is an umbrella body of all the registered Christian denominations within the Middle Belt of Nigeria.
Governor Alia Accused of Allocating ₦500 Million to Influence NJC Proceedings Against Benue Chief Judge
The Centre for Judicial Integrity (CJI) has raised serious allegations against Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, accusing him of earmarking over ₦500 million to manipulate proceedings within the National Judicial Council (NJC) concerning the removal of the state’s Chief Judge, Honorable Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
According to the CJI’s press statement dated March 24, 2025, this substantial sum was allegedly funneled through key state officials, including the Attorney General, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim; the Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Michael Ogbleba; and the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba. These officials are reported to have made multiple trips to Abuja in attempts to compromise NJC processes by engaging with judiciary officials.
The CJI expressed concern that Governor Alia and his appointees, lacking prior public service experience, have demonstrated a troubling disregard for due process, constitutional norms, and the sanctity of judicial independence. Their actions, as highlighted by the CJI, reflect a dangerous misunderstanding of democratic principles, wherein institutions like the judiciary must remain free from political interference.
In addition to the alleged financial misconduct, the CJI’s statement outlined several actions by Governor Alia’s administration that purportedly undermine judicial independence:
The CJI also called for an investigation into the activities of Justice Raphael Joshua Egbe of the Federal High Court of Makurdi, alleging partisanship and attempts to influence ongoing tribunal proceedings unjustly.
In response to these serious allegations, the Centre for Judicial Integrity has issued the following demands:
The Centre for Judicial Integrity remains committed to defending the independence of the judiciary and ensuring that all actions by public officials are conducted within the framework of the law. They pledge to continue monitoring the situation closely and take necessary steps to uphold justice and accountability in Benue State and across Nigeria.
NBA Condemns Alia’s Brazen Assault on the Judiciary, Calls for Immediate Reversal of Chief Judge’s Removal
In a stunning and unprecedented move that has sparked national outrage, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the purported removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, branding it a “brazen assault on the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Agada’s Reinstatement: ₦3 Billion Appeal Court Manipulation Alert
The political turbulence in the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified with allegations that Governor Hyacinth Alia is orchestrating a ₦3 billion scheme to manipulate the judiciary in the reinstatement case of Comrade Austin Agada as State Chairman. Sources reveal that the governor has allegedly directed local governments to raise ₦100 million each while extracting ₦700 million from state coffers to fund this effort.