The International Federation of women Lawyers on Thursday led 14 women groups mostly from Southern Cross River State to protested against what they describe as illegal disqualification of Justice Akon Ikpeme as Chief Judge of Cross River State by the State House of Assembly.
Justice Ikpeme, was disqualified on Monday by the state lawmakers through a voice vote over the controversy allegedly surrounding her state of origin.
The women groups while addressing the media described the act by the State Assembly as a gross violation of Justice Ikpeme’s fundamental human rights and therefore called on the state lawmakers to immediately confirm her as the substantive State Chief Judge.
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Members of the group who call themselves mothers of Efikland and Cross River attribute the non-confirmation of Justice Ikpeme as discrimination and violence against women in the State by the legislature.
The women groups that participated in the protest include Gender and Development Action, Efik Women Association, Women for Women Community, International Federation of Women Lawyers, Efik Leadership Foundation, Women in CAN-CRS, among others.
