The Cross River State House of Assembly has confirmed Justice Akon Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge of the state after rejecting her twice.
The confirmation took place on Thursday at the state House of Assembly in Calabar following a motion moved by the Leader of the House and representative of Ogoja Constituency, Peter Odey, and seconded by Whip, Okon Ephraim, representing Calabar South 1.
A letter by Governor Ben Ayade seeking her confirmation as the substantive Chief Judge of the state was read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Bassey Ekpenyong before a motion was moved for her confirmation which was done by an overwhelming voice vote.
Speaking on why Ikpeme was confirmed Thursday as the Substantive Chief Judge in spite of her earlier rejection, the Speaker, Eteng Williams said, “The Assembly just did its job. We got new facts. We got documents that we needed. We’ve done our own findings,” adding that what the lawmakers had done was to stabilise the judiciary.
He said the Chief Judge is expected to discharge her duty without fear or favour and that she should be fair.
Also speaking, Peter Odey who moved the motion for Ikpeme’s confirmation, said:-
“It was the decision of the House at that time not to confirm her. And it is the decision of the House of Assembly to confirm her today. The House has done what is necessary and that chapter is now behind us. I wish Cross River judiciary well.”
It was alleged that the National Judicial Council did not extend the tenure of Justice Eyo Effiom-Ita whose acting period ended on Monday, January 18, 2021, thus setting the stage for Ikpeme’s confirmation.
