That Akon Ikpeme was deemed a security risk was done in error… Efa Esua Nyong

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Rt. Hon. Efa Esua Nyong of Calabar Municipal Constituency at the 9th Cross River State House of Assembly has said that the statement that previously labelled Honourable Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme, the highest ranking judge in the state, as security risk was made in error NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.

Efa Esua Nyong who doubles as the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions & Conflict Resolution disclosed to our correspondent that those who earlier subscribed to such sentiment have regretted. According to the lawmaker, Ikpeme could not have been a security risk where the Department of State Service (DSS) had cleared her.

His words, ‘I think that statement was made in error. Even those that made that statement have regretted. She couldn’t have been a security risk, because the only constitutionally required body that is required to screen judges is the DSS (Department of State Service), they did their thorough screening and didn’t find anything wrong in Akon Ikpeme. So, it doesn’t lie in the mouth of any other person to pass such a judgement. So, I think it was misplaced. But, that has been corrected anyway.’

For Nyong, the recent decision of the 9th Assembly demonstrated that the state legislature discovered that she erred according to law and clear conscience and therefore decided to do right and justice: ‘The exercise today has shown that the House of Assembly realised that there was something we didn’t do right according to law and clear conscience. So, opportunity has been given to us by the letter written again by His Excellency the Governor, so we have reversed that earlier decision to tow the path of justice’, he said.

Continuing, Nyong asserted, ‘Because Akon Ikpeme still remains the highest ranking judge in Cross River State Judiciary. And you know in judiciary matters, it is not a political thing. We don’t do zoning. It is hierarchy. We have gone back to the basis to find out that Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme is the oldest serving judge in Cross River state. Her due has been given. So, that has put paid to incessant appointment of acting Chief Judges. Because she has been confirmed to be sworn in by His Excellency as the substantive Chief Judge of Cross River state.

‘And again, that will also help Cross River state, you know alot has eluded us by the appointment of judges to the federal high court, court of appeal, because they see us to be in confrontation with the NJC’, he concluded.

Recall that the 9th CRSHA after a heated debated on Monday 2nd March 2020 rejected the National Judicial Council’s NJC nomination of Hon. Ikpeme to the office of Chief Judge of Cross River State, on grounds that she is from Akwa Ibom State and therefore a security risk.

However, the 9th Cross River State House of Assembly, CRSHA, Thursday, reversed her previous decision by granting consequential confirmation to Her Lordship, Akon Bassey Ikpeme, as the substantive Chief Judge of Cross River State.