Ayade denounces the bad salary structure of judges in the country and takes the oath in the Customary Court of Appeals of the new President of the State. – The Sun Nigeria
From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has denounced the poor salary structure of judges in the country, promising a new salary structure for judges.
Speaking at the swearing-in of the new President of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Maurice Eneji, and four new High Court judges and four Customary Court judges in Calabar on Tuesday, Ayade said that despite the meager financial resources, the State will be the torchbearer in improving the standard of living of judges by reviewing their salaries.
He revealed he would meet with the state House of Assembly to ensure the new salary structure for judges takes effect on March 1.
According to him, “it is a very clear declaration which will instruct the whole federation to look into the question of the salaries of magistrates.
“As of March 1, 2022, the salary of our bailiffs in Cross River State will be permanently changed. We will increase your salaries so that other states know that Cross River, which is number 35 out of 36 states in terms of federal allowance, can increase judges’ salaries. If Cross River State can raise judges’ salaries, which state won’t?
“It’s a way of forcing them to increase the salaries of judges because it’s sad that you put a man in such a sensitive position and expose him to temptation by leaving him on the same salary grid for 13 year.
Admonishing Judge Eneji and the new judges, he said, “Be a shining star, be that agent of change who will bring fairness, justice, kindness, kindness and sincerity to the entire justice system.
“As you hold your Bible today taking an oath, do not forget the meaning of this Bible, let your God be your watchword, indeed let the fear of God be your guide for your children and grandchildren children will reap from what you do.
“Don’t let when you judge on earth and you go to heaven to be judged, you are sent to hell. Keep in mind that the common man and the elite depend solely on the judiciary for justice as the last bastion of hope and therefore must not compromise justice.
In his remarks, Justice Eneji, who served as the state’s acting chief justice, described Ayade as the most pro-judicial governor.
He recalled that this is the third time the Governor has sworn in judges, just as he cleared the backlog of allowances for about two years.
The new president of the Customary Court of Appeals of Cross River commended the governor for facilitating the take-off of the Court in the state, adding, “What people don’t know is that without the Court of ‘customary appeal, we change ourselves because the money is already voted, but because we have not used it, the money is used elsewhere for those who have a customary court of appeal.
The four new High Court judges are Justice Obo Agbor Anthony, Justice Ititim Felix Igobi, Justice Dada Eunice Oshim and Justice Ankpor Jeremiah Arong.
The customary court judges were Judge Daniel Ofre Kulo, Judge Rita Otu Marshall, Judge Odibu Emmanuel Ekanya and Judge Obin Blessing Egwu.
