C'River CJ Saga: It Is Excessive Ethnic Jingoism And Blatant Chauvinism Not To Confirm Justice Ikpeme - Obono-Obla

Chief Obla

Former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla says the refusal of the Cross River State House of Assembly to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme as the substantive Chief Judge of Cross River State on grounds that she is not from Cross River State and a security risk  smacks of excessive ethnic jingoism and a blatant chauvinism.

The State House of Assembly had Monday, declined to confirm Justice Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge of the state after the expiration of her tenure on  acting capacity. This paved way for the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade to swear in Justice Maurice Eneji as the acting Chief Judge.

Chief Obla wrote:

"Honourable Justice Akon Ikpeme is eminently qualified to be the Chief Judge of the High Court of Cross River State of Nigeria ! She is intelligent , sharp , brilliant and has good grasp , appreciation and understanding of the law !

"I recollect a case concerning a criminal charge filed against Idang Alibi , an eminent journalist in 1993 ! I was the counsel to Idang Alibi and Justice Ikpeme ( then DPP of Cross River State ) was the prosecuting counsel ! She was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Cross River State more than 20 years ago !

" I recollect I handled so many cases before her and she did her job with integrity and panache ! It is absurd , ridiculous and outrageous for some people to suggest that Honorable Justice Ikpeme is not from Cross River State or for the Cross River State House of Assembly to refused her confirmation as Chief Judge on the frivolous and baseless ground that she is a security risk ! It smacks excessive ethnic jingoist and prejudices for some people to suggest that Justice Ikpeme is not from Cross River State ! It is retrogressive and blatant chauvinism to discriminate against Justice Ikpeme after so many years of serving the Cross River State !"

" The first Chief Justice of the defunct South Eastern State was not a Nigerian but from the Caribbean in Central America ! I recollect my cousin , Honorable Justice Okoi Ikpi Itam I’d blessed memory was Chief Justice of the High Court of the Republic of Gambia for many years ! Also few years Honorable Justice Akomaye Agim ( from Obudu Cross River State ) was Chief Justice of the Republic of Gambia ! Late Honorable Justice Akintola Aguda ( from Ondo State of Nigeria ) was Chief Justice of the Republic of Botswana. Late Gabriel Onyuike SAN was Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda!".