2022/2023 Legal Year: Cleric tasks judicial officers on justice
The founder of Christian Central Chapel International, CCCI, Bishop (Dr) Emmah Gospel Isong has advised the judiciary in Cross River State and beyond not to give justice to the highest bidder in the course of discharging their judicial responsibility to the people
Bishop Isong gave the advised over the at the church auditorium, Ikot Enebong Calabar during the 2022/2023 Legal Year Thanksgiving service to mark the beginning of the yearly national judiciary event.
The Bishop preached on the message titled: “A woman taken in Adultery” taken from John 8:3-5, explaining that not everything they hear, no matter how they cooked it, at the end you find out that it was not true, citing the case of a woman which was brought before Jesus accused of adultery by the Pharisees.
The man of God said, “That woman was just a bait to arrest Jesus for blasphemy as arranged by the Pharisees, this is how many cases will come to you with ulterior motives, so be careful.
“As 2023 approaches, I appeal to judicial officers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and voters to ensure that the 2023 general election does not become an exercise of prejudice.
“We should for once make it right in 2023 for the benefit of our children, we cannot pay the price of eight years just because of unnecessary sentiments, we must vote right,”
Earlier, the state governor, Sen. Prof Ben Ayade who was represented by his deputy on the occasion, Prof. Ivara Jemot Esu during his address informed the judges to do all they can to resist the temptation of giddy adjournment of cases as they begin the Legal Year.
His words” The year would be a season of political litigation, from very serious to absurd matters, do your best to resist the temptations of frivolous adjournments which creates unnecessary suspense and may lead to hypertension and heart attacks.
“Do not allow anybody to go away from your court with the impression that you have been partial or compromised in any way, let the law speak and your personal opinion diminish,”
The Deputy Governor further stated that the government is working on modalities ensuring that the judiciary officers in the state operate in a conducive atmosphere, and a recommended welfare packages recommended by Justice Ita Committee.
Stressing that the committee which was set up by the governor had recommended an upward review of 100℅ remuneration packages for Judges and 50℅ increases in monthly wages for all magistrates working effectively in August 2023.
On her part, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Akon Ikpeme expresses thanks to the God Almighty for granting sound health strength to the judges as they return from the Eighth week again.
Maintaining that the judiciary was blessed with very dedicated staff who were fully dedicated to their call for service to their fatherland
Justice Akon also calls for prayers among Cross Riverians for preservation, and divine wisdom to enable them to carry out the constitutional mandate to humanity.
