2023/2024 Legal Year: We Will Judge With Our Conscience In Place – Justice Ikpeme
The Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, has promised that judges in the State will judge with their conscience in place during the new legal year.
Justice Ikpeme made the pledge at the St. Bernard Catholic Church during a church service to mark the beginning of the 2023/2024 legal year.
She charged judges to always remember that they will one day give an account to the greatest judge of all and prayed to God to guide them as they go about their duties.
“It is traditional for us to come to church to begin the legal year. One thing I don’t joke with is to begin the legal year in God’s presence and so, we have come and above all, we have heard the homily and it speaks volumes.
“I pray this legal year, we will judge with our conscience in place. I pray God speaks to our hearts and reminds us that even as judges, there will come a day where we will stand before the Lord of Hosts, the greatest of all judges to give account,” she said.
She also appealed to the executive to provide a multi-purpose court and prayed it would materialise within the present administration.
Also speaking, the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, congratulated members of the judiciary for the new legal year.
The Governor, whose speech was read by his Deputy, Peter Odey, said they must strive to enthrone a justice system that is not only accessible to those who can afford it but all members of society.
He tasked the bench to be guided by the principles of integrity, professionalism and compassion.
The Governor also pledged to collaborate with the judiciary to ensure that its justices are equipped to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.
On his part, a member of the bar and Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, said lawyers are in good steam for legal practice this year.
He noted the cooperation between the executive and judiciary and called for its sustenance to ensure the common man can access justice and get what is justiceably his.
Members of the inner bar, who graced the occasion, include former Senate leader, Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN, Mba Ukweni, SAN and Dr. Ikani Kanu Agabi, SAN.
