Juliet Uduji
Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade will today swear in Justice Eyo Effiom Ita as the acting Chief Judge.
He will be the third judge within 11 months to be sworn in in acting capacity after the retirement of Justice Michael Edem last November.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Christian Ita, said:
“In the exercise of his power under Section 271 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade, will on Monday (today) swear in a new acting chief judge.
“This follows the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
“The event will take place at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar at 8am. All are to be seated before the arrival of the Governor.”
After the retirement of Justice Michael Edem, the most senior judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme, was sworn in for three months and the request for her confirmation in substantive capacity from the NJC was rejected by the legislature. The Governor immediately swore in Justice Muarice, the second in seniority, who acted for six months of two terms in acting capacity. His tenure expired last month and NJC has maintained the position of only the most senior judge that can be the substantive chief judge.
After one month without a chief judge, the Governor is swearing in the third in seniority as another acting chief Judge.