The governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade, Monday, swore in members of the State Judicial Service Commission. The event which took place at the State Executive Chambers, Governor's Office, Calabar.
Ayade who was represented at the event by his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu charged members of the commission to be forthright in their conduct.
“We trust that the same way you have always been forthright in your duties, some of you as retired Judges of the state High Court, some of you as members of the Bar, that you will continue to serve the state especially on this particular way so that we continue to have a smooth, well managed and well run judicial service commission," he said.
According to Ayade, "you have all been chosen very carefully based on your tract records and your performances in the state and everywhere in the nation. You have just been called to continue with that service, it is a specialised service and mainly to the judiciary of the state."
He reminded the newly sworn in members of the commission that, "statutorily, the chairman of the commission is the Chief Judge of the state as well as the Attorney General, they don't need to be formally inaugurated or sworn in because they are already members of the commission."
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn in members of the commission, retired Justice Obojor-Ogar thanked Governor Ayade for finding them "worthy to be appointed members of this critical commission representing the third arm of government."
Admitting that the team was aware of the enormous challenges associated with the Commission, Obojor-Ogar said, "we are determined not to betray the confidence you have reposed in us," adding that, "we will not betray the confidence by applying ourselves assiduously to the ethics of the commission."
Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Barr Tina Banku Agbor remarked that the event is significant as "it reinforces the existing harmonious relationship between the three arms of government in the state and a clear demonstration of the commitment of Governor Ayade towards ensuring that the judiciary and its support staff is properly placed to carry out its constitutional duty of interpreting the law."
Among those inaugurated were Justice Obojor-Ogar (rtd), Ntufam Joe Ebam, Dr Teresa Ikwen and Barr Tasen Etum Okune.
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