Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State will on Monday, February 8, 2021, swear in Hon Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme as the Substantive Chief Judge of the State.
It has been a tortuous journey to the seat of the substantive Chief Judge lasting over one year and seeing the state with three acting Chief Judges within the period of time.
Ikpeme would have seamlessly taken over since December 2019 but intrigues and power play suppressed the clear constitutional provision that allows the most senior Judge to the assumed office after being cleared by the National Judicial Council and recommended by the Governor.
A proof of the swearing-in ceremony was contained in a statement on Saturday, February 6, 2021, by the Secretary to the state government, Tina Banku Agbor saying “this (the swearing-in) follows the confirmation of her nomination by the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The statement from the SSG invited the Speaker and members of the Cross River Assembly, members of the Executive Council, and the Judiciary to attend the event.
Source: The Nation
