Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel has announced government’s intention to appoint 10 more Magistrates for the Magistrates Courts in the state.
This was as nine magistrates were sworn into office on February 3, 2020.
Emmanuel stated this Thursday after swearing in two new High Court Judges for the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary namely Justice Eme Daniel Ekong and Justice Effiong Asuquo Effiong.
Princess Eme Ekong, 56, after being called to Bar in December 1990, had served in the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary and rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Magistrate 1, while Effiong Effiong FCIA, 48, last served as Chief Registrar in the State Judiciary, prior to their appointments.
“I know you’ve also made a request for appointments of new Magistrates and Customary Court Members. I will try and make sure we appoint 10 new Magistrates. I think we should try and fill that first before we go to the Customary Courts,’’ the Governor assured.
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The State Chief Executive congratulated the newly sworn in benchers and lauded the contributions of the Judiciary to the functioning of the state government.
“While I congratulate the two judges, I’m happy we’re doing this before the end of 2021,” Governor Emmanuel declared.
The governor, however, sued for closer collaborations and harmonious relationship of the members of the judicial arm of government with the state executive, while tasking the legal institution in the state to strive to give the state a good representation at the federal benches.
“I know the work is a whole lot, but as much as we can, let’s keep a good relationship. Let me thank you for how you’ve worked with us so far and I hope we gear up for an even better collaborations and moving the state forward in 2022,” he said.
The Governor restated the commitment of his administration to boost justice delivery at all levels of the state judicial system which, he affirmed, informed his effort to ensure the swearing in of the Judges held before the end of the years 2021.
