CRSJudiciary: I Did Not Sell Out – Acting CJ, Eyo Ita

By Jonathan Ugbal

The Acting Chief Judge of the High Court of Cross River State, Justice Eyo Ita has debunked claims that he sold out to become the head of the judiciary.

“From what I have read, I don’t know whether I am right or wrong; but some of you in the media seem to think that I sold out, I did not,” Justice Ita told concerned lawyers in Calabar who have been protesting since Monday, demanding for the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge.

“I am a public servant. The day you say you don’t want to do what your employers tell you, that day, you carry your bag and go home.

“NJC asked me to go and be sworn in. So, that is how I went there so no question about that,” he said, while addressing those present at Court 3.

He promised quick reforms especially in the areas of the time Court resume daily and the administrative complains concerning the lower bench, the Magistrates.

He charged the legal practitioners to talk to those they know in Government to ensure a free Judiciary.

He pledged to carry out reforms that will uplift the legal profession.

Several elders of the Calabar branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Young Lawyer’s Forum and other concerned lawyers attended the meeting which signaled an end to the three day protests which had halted activities in the headquarters of the High Court since Monday.