We Are Not Moved By Alleged Move By Gov. Ben Ayade To Swear-In A New Acting Chief Judge — Lawyers Insist On Protest

Lawyers have insisted on holding its planned protest slated for 19th October 2020 despite the alleged move by the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, to swear in new Acting Chief Judge the same day.

The lawyers, in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer by Enome J. Amatey, described the governor’s move as a “greek gift” and a “ploy” to put the state in another state of uncertainty

They said, “Upon getting notice of the protest organized by the Concerned Lawyers in Cross River State against tomorrow, his Excellency the executive governor of CRS has quickly acceded to one arm of our demands by slating the swearing-in of ANOTHER Acting Chief Judge for 8am tomorrow.

“We are neither moved nor deceived by this Greek gift. We are not persuaded by it. It is just another ploy to run away from doing the right thing and put the Judiciary and indeed the State in another situation of uncertainty.”

Therefore, they said the protest will continue as planned. They are not moved by the step taken by the Governor as only appointment of substantive Chief Judge will solve the problem

“To this end, we shall proceed with our planned protest, until all our other demands are met. We are not deterred and remain unshaken in our resolve to insist on the right thing being done.

“Cross River State deserves a substantive Chief Judge and that is the only practical solution to this quagmire.” the statement further reads

TNL recalls that the Governor of Cross Rivers State, Prof. Ben Ayade had, via a press release statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Christian Ita, disclosed his decision to swear in a new Acting Chief Judge.

However, the name of the new Acting Chief Judge to be sworn in was not disclosed in the statement but a source disclosed to TheNigeriaLawyer that the third in rank High Court Judge in the State, Hon. Justice Eyo Ita, will be the new Acting Chief Judge to be sworn in.

The Notice of swearing-in of new Acting Chief Judge came after the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) earlier announced its decision to stage a protest come October 19, against the non-appointment of a Chief Judge, that left the office vacant for 50 days.