BY Bolanle Olabimtan
Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, has sworn in Akon Ikpeme as substantive chief judge of the state.
Ikpeme, whose nomination by the National Judicial Council (NJC) was rejected twice because she is “not” from Cross River state, was confirmed as CJ by the state house of assembly on January 28, 2021.
Ikpeme was born in Cross River, schooled in the state, practised law there and she is married to a Cross Riverian.
During the swearing-in on Monday, Ayade described Ikpeme’s confirmation as the “will of God”.
“Today brings to a close the internal concerns and worries of the people over the stability of the judiciary,” he said.
“We do not need any distraction and want a very stable judiciary.
“Justice Ikpeme is a woman with a great conscience and a covenant child. God’s will has prevailed, no man fought your battle but only God.
“As God touched my heart, so did he touch the heart of everyone to support your emergence. As a child of God, I pray that God will touch your soul and ensure that there is no injustice in Justice dispensation in the state.”
Olumide Apata, national president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who was present at the occasion expressed delight over the CJ’s emergence.
“I am glad that all the dramatis personae have been able to come to this fantastic outcome that reflects the intendment of our constitution,” Apata said.
“Democracy runs on the three arms of government, they stand independently but they must also collaborate for it to succeed.
“She is inheriting a judiciary with issues and I am praying she has the wisdom to navigate the stormy waters and uphold the independence of the judiciary which is very critical.”
Ikpeme ascribed glory to God for her emergence and urged everyone to put the past behind.
“We have kept the past behind us and are moving forward. God has been gracious to us by making this day possible and it will be foolhardy to dwell on the past, we are moving forward,” she said.
“God rules in the affairs of men and uses men to fulfil his purposes so we thank him for making this day possible.”
The 62-year-old judge becomes the second female CJ of the state after Dorothy Eyamba Idem.
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