by crossriverwatch admin
Today at 2pm the Acting Chief Judge of Cross River State of Nigeria, Honourable Justice (Chief) Okoi Ikpi at the Cultural Centre Calabar took his Oath of Office and Allegiance as the substantive Chief Judge of the High Court of Justice of Cross River State of Nigeria.
Recall that Justice Okoi Itam was sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Cross River State of Nigeria on the 5th October 2012 following the retirement of the former Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Dorothy Eyamba-Idem after attaining the statutory retirement age of 65.
The Oath of Office and Allegiance was be administered on Justice Okoi Itam by the Acting Governor of Cross River State of Nigeria, Mr. Efiok Cobham.
The appointment of a Chief Judge of a State is provided by Section 271 subsection (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which provide thus: “The appointment of a person to the office of Chief Judge of a State shall be made by the Governor of the State on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of the appointment by the House of Assembly of the State”.
The appointment of Justice Okoi Itam was made by Governor Liyel Imoke on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. The appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Cross River State House of Assembly and his name forwarded to the National Judicial Council.