Gov Ayade inaugurates Judicial Service Commission

4-members of the Cross River State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has been inaugurated by the Governor of Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade.

Inauguration of the JSC members which took place at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor's office on Monday, has Retired Justice Obojor Ogar, Ntufam Joe Ebam, Dr Teresa Ikwen and Barr Tasen Etum Okune.

The four members inaugurated add up with the Chief Judge of the state who is the automatic Chairman of the Commission and the Attorney general of the state who is equally an automatic member of the revered Commission.

Governor Ayade who was represented at the swearing-in ceremony 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," the governor stated.

Ayade informed the newly inaugurated members of JSC that the government has selected them based on their past track records and that he has doubt that they will live up to their rating.

"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."

End.