The Benue State government and the Centre for Judicial Integrity (CJI) are at odds following accusations that the state government attempted to bribe members of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) in a bid to influence proceedings concerning the removal of the state’s chief judge.
The CJI has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate allegations that the state allocated N500 million for the bribe. The group also linked the ongoing strike by the judiciary in Benue, which has been ongoing since December 2024, to the state government’s failure to implement a N75,000 minimum wage for judicial workers.
Solomon Adodo, the CJI convener, stated that several state officials were involved in attempts to influence the NJC’s decision on the removal of Justice Maurice Ikpambese. He urged transparency in the investigation, claiming that some NJC members had refused the alleged bribe, reinforcing the commission’s integrity.
In response, Governor Hyacinth Alia’s office swiftly rejected the allegations. Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula described the accusations as a political attack by disgruntled elements seeking to undermine the governor’s efforts toward justice and good governance. He challenged the CJI to provide evidence or face consequences for spreading unfounded claims.
The CJI’s statements have sparked a heated debate about the role of the judiciary in Benue, with the group urging the NJC to uphold its independence from political interference. The state government, on the other hand, denies any wrongdoing and calls the allegations a political maneuver to destabilize the state.
Kula emphasized that the people of Benue are supportive of the governor’s leadership, which prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, despite these contentious claims.
