News
C’ River: Constitutional Crisis Looms As Assembly Rejects Chief Judge
The Cross River State House of Assembly has rejected the nomination of Justice Akon Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge of the state.
The house, in a voice vote declined her confirmation after rejecting two parallel reports presented by a divided committee on Judiciary which was set up to screen Ikpeme.
In one of the reports, Efah Esua Chairman of the committee accepted her nomination as substantive Chief Judge and recommended that the house should give a go-ahead.
However, in a parallel report, Godwin Akwaji representing Obudu state constituency alongside five others recommended that Akon be rejected because she is not from Cross River.
As a result of this impasse, the House after extensive deliberations, rejected both reports and a committee of the whole house ultimately rejected her confirmation through a voice vote.
During plenary, some members condemned the presentation of two reports, saying its unprecedented in the history of the legislature.
Ekpo Ekpo Bassey member representing Bakassi in the house cautioned the House against setting a bad precedence.
“This is my fifth year in the House and I have never seen two reports by a committee being presented to the House.
“The House has to be on the side of Justice at all times and avoid setting a bad precedent. We need to strengthen institutions and avoid sowing seeds of ethnicity and disunity in the House”, he said.
Also speaking, Itam Abang from Boki State Constituency said, “Never in the history of the House have we had two reports. It’s very sad that in the 21st century we are whipping up ethnic sentiments.
“It’s wrong to whip up ethnic sentiments because we have children and don’t know where they will be married to. She gave the state her productive years and rejecting her on account of her origin is injustice of the highest order”, she said.
Also speaking Francis Bassey Asuquo representing Odukpani state constituency said Akon is from his constituency Odukpani and his people are proud of her.
He added that states were created for administrative convenience and Akon’s record of service is impeacable.
However Chris Ogar from Etung State constituency who read the parallel report said her confirmation will constitute a conflict of interest because she is from Akwa Ibom.
He said the house should withhold her confirmation because it will not be on the best interest of Cross River State if she is confirmed.
His committee also recommended that the next most senior judge be confirmed.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the sitting, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ntufam Mba Ukweni lamented the action of the members of the House and said, “The House has put all of us into a mess.”
“They have ridiculed themselves because the next event that will unfold, definitely, they will not be able to control it. The National Judicial Commission is not going to nominate or recommend any other person rather than Justice Akon Ikpeme as the substantive Chief Judge of the State,” he stated.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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