By Damilola Adeyemo
CALABAR – The confirmation of Justice Akon Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge of the state after rejecting her twice took place at the State House of Assembly in Calabar on Thursday.
Speaking on her confirmation 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.
“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 the needful and that chapter is now behind us. I wish Cross River judiciary well.”
THE PUNCH gathered that 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.
Justice Akon Ikpeme had served as Acting Chief Judge of the state for three months, followed by Justice Maurice Eneji, who acted for six months while Justice Eyo Effiom-Ita acted for three months.
The National Judicial Council had earlier recommended Justice Ikpeme to be confirmed as Chief Judge of the State following the retirement of Justice Michael Edem in 2019.
However, the State House of Assembly refused to confirm her, saying Justice Ikpeme was an indigene of Akwa Ibom State though married to a Cross Riverman.
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