Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state will swear in Justice Akon Ikpeme as a substantive Chief Judge of the state on February 8, 2021.
A press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
Barrister Tina Banku Agbor, stated that the swearing in was sequel to Justice Ikpeme’s confirmation last week by the House of Assembly.
The release read in part: “His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River state will on Monday 8th February, 2021 in the Executive council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Calabar, swear in Hon. Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme as the Chief Judge of Cross River state.
“This follows the confirmation of her nomination by the Cross River state House of Assembly. Accordingly, the Hon. Speaker and members of the Cross River state House of Assembly, members of the state Executive Council and the Judiciary are cordially invited to attend the event.
“All are kindly requested to be seated by 9.00a.m prompt before the arrival of His Excellency, the governor.”
Justice Ikpeme was earlier sworn in on acting capacity in December 2019, and efforts to get her confirmed as substantive Chief Judge had met a brick wall from the House which saw her as a security risk.
The House of Assembly, however, had a change of mind and confirmed her as substantive judge on January 28, 2012, after receiving a nomination letter from the Governor for the third consecutive time.
