The newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Olumide Akpata, has said that the refusal of the Cross River State Government, to Appoint a substantive Chief Judge, is brewing a constitutional crisis and strikes at the root of the rule of law.
The NBA President stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday, when he urged the Government of the State, to put the interest of the people and the rule of law first and appoint Justice Akon Ikpeme, as recommended by the NJC.
The NJC has unanimously agreed that, the reasons adduced by the House of Assembly, are untenable and unsubstantiated and thus reinforced its recommendation of Justice Akon Ikpeme.
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The NBA agrees with the NJC in this regard and enjoins the Governor and the House of Assembly of Cross River State, to complete the appointment and confirmation of Justice Akon Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge and
Comply with the Rule of Law.
The present administration of the NBA also pledged to strictly monitor compliance with the 1999 Constitution and the Rules and Procedure of the National Judicial Council, (NJC) on the selection and appointment of superior court judges.
Edited by Tunde Orebiyi.
