The Benue State government is facing backlash over its failure to resolve the ongoing judiciary strike, which began in December 2024 due to the non-implementation of the new ₦75,000 minimum wage for judiciary staff.
In a statement on Monday, the Centre for Judicial Integrity (CJI) condemned the government’s inaction, accusing Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of allowing the state’s judicial system to remain paralyzed instead of engaging in constructive dialogue.
CJI also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate an alleged ₦500 million bribe purportedly allocated by the state government to influence officials of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
According to CJI Convener Solomon Adodo, three Benue State officials have been making frequent trips to Abuja in what appears to be an attempt to compromise NJC proceedings. He criticized the government’s handling of the judiciary crisis, stating that its failure to uphold judicial independence undermines democracy and governance.
“Governor Alia, who benefited from judicial intervention during election disputes, now seems determined to weaken the very institution that protected his rights,” Adodo said.
He urged anti-corruption agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the alleged fund misappropriation and called on the NJC to resist external pressures while ensuring that judicial processes remain impartial.
CJI also demanded that security agencies provide adequate protection for judiciary members in Benue State to prevent any acts of intimidation or violence.
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