Justice Maurice Ahemba Ikpambese, the Chief Judge of Benue State, has warned magistrates across the state to steer clear of corruption in all its forms. He cautioned that when judges compromise their independence, public trust in the entire justice system crumbles.
Ikpambese delivered the warning on Friday when he met with magistrates at the High Court of Justice headquarters in Makurdi. The Chief Judge stressed that holding judicial office represents one of the most sacred public responsibilities in a democracy.
"Citizens walk into our courts expecting not just that justice will be done, but that it will visibly be done," he told the gathered magistrates. He reminded them that their true legacy would not rest on years spent on the bench or the number of cases decided, but on their commitment to their oath.
"When you retire, your greatest legacy will be whether you kept faith with your oath of office," he said.
The Chief Judge expanded his definition of corruption beyond accepting bribes. He said that showing favouritism, misusing judicial discretion, granting unnecessary postponements, improperly communicating with lawyers or parties, tampering with records, and unevenly applying the law all constitute corruption.
Ikpambese warned that the moment a judge allows political, financial, social, ethnic, religious or personal interests to guide a ruling, genuine justice disappears. "When that public confidence erodes, no amount of legal expertise can rebuild it quickly," he cautioned.
He instructed magistrates to maintain professional distance from litigants and lawyers, avoiding unnecessary closeness. The Chief Judge also flagged garnishee proceedings—particularly those involving public money and state agencies—as requiring exceptional care and precision.
"These are special cases under statute that touch the interests of judgment creditors, debtors and third parties," he explained. "They demand our utmost diligence and strict adherence to the law."
Ikpambese pushed back against delays in the justice system, reiterating that postponed justice amounts to denied justice. He urged magistrates to deliver rulings and judgments without unnecessary waiting periods.
The Chief Judge also highlighted the need for judges to stay current as the law constantly shifts through new rules and appellate decisions. He encouraged continuous professional development among magistrates.
Regina Alashi, who chairs the Magistrates Association of Nigeria's Benue State branch, responded on behalf of the magistrates present. She thanked the Chief Judge for what she called timely and important advice.
Alashi pledged that magistrates in the state would continue demonstrating integrity, reducing delays in case handling and preserving public confidence in the judiciary. The Protocol Officer of the Benue State High Court of Justice, David Jooli, released details of the meeting.
