Cross River State - Swearing-In of the Chief Judge of the State

[CrossRiverState]

     

ACTING GOVERNOR CHARGES NEW CHIEF JUDGE TO

MAKE REFORMS FOR FAIR DISPENSATION OF JUSTICE

The State Acting Governor Mr. Efiok Cobham has charged the newly sworn in State Chief Judge, Justice Okoi Ikpi Item, to fashion out necessary reforms that will ensure quick and fair dispensation of justice in the state.

          The Acting Governor gave the charge yesterday in Calabar, while swearing in the new state Chief Judge Justice Okoi Ikpi Itam at the main bowl of the state   cultural centre.

          Mr. Cobham assured the  chief  Judge of the  state governments readiness to  render  any  assistance  that may be needed to  enhance  effective discharge of his  duties.

         He said the  appointment of Justice Okoi Itam, who  was  earlier sworn in as  Acting Chief Judge and  had diligently performed his duties  during  the  period and  was  nominated  by the  National Judicial Council (NJC) for  appointment as chief  Judge and  was  unanimously  confirmed by the  Cross River State House of  Assembly, was in line with the  provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which required the  Governor to appoint the  most senior Judge of the  High Court to perform the functions of the chief  Judge  where   a vacancy exists.

          According to Mr. Cobham, the  need to  reposition the Judiciary for effective  service  delivery has  necessitated  the  appointment and  swearing in  of a  new High Court Judge  in the  person  of Justice. Ashu Ewa.

            He maintained  that in order to  strengthen  the nascent democratic system in Nigeria, it was incumbent on the  state  government to accord the  judiciary its rightful place  in the  polity to  ensure  active  participation in the  rule  of law which  had been suppressed  and  undermined in the  past.

          Mr. Cobham noted that the present administration was committed to building a virile highly motivated and disciplined judiciary which   he observed was the hope of not only the common man, but the entire society.

 

 

         He, however, expressed dissatisfaction over some judgments delivered by the High Courts. Which he noted, undermined  the implementation of  government   plans, as well as create a sense  of disharmony between the  arms of government  and  urged  the judiciary not to see  itself as a separate  entity of its own, but as  part of a  collective  whole.

        In  his remarks the state  Chief  Judge  Justice  Okoi Ikpi Itam  expressed  his willingness to  transform the  state  judiciary into a dependable and  successful one while  discharging its duties .

       He commended the  state  House  of Assembly for  synergizing with  the  executive arm to facilitate the  process of his confirmation and  swearing in as  the state  Chief  Judge.

        In a citation read by the member representing the Boki II  state constituency in the  state  House of Assembly, Mr. Jacob Otu  Enya, Justice Okoi Itam was described as a man with unprecedented wealth of legal experience.   From July, 1977 when he was called to the Nigerian Bar, Justice Itam had held many legal positions both in Nigeria and abroad.

       He was in October, 2000 Judge, High Court of Gambia.  Judge Advocate for Gambia, 2001 -2004 Acting Chief  Justice of the Gambia 2002 and  the Justice of the Gambia Court of Appeal, as  well as  chairman, Public Funds and property recovery Tribunal, Cross River State , among 8th other  numerous judicial appointments in  Nigeria.

        He also is a member of the council of Chiefs in Ugep Urban.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Bar and the  Bench,  as well as members of the State Executive Council and member of the public.

Via: Cross River State Government - Official Press Release