Akwa Ibom governor swears in new chief judge

Ekaette Francesca Fabian Obot has been sworn in as the new chief judge of Akwa Ibom state.

Udom Emmanuel, the governor swore in Obot as the 8th substantive chief of the state on Tuesday.

She is the third woman to occupy the office in the state.

The event, which took place on Tuesday, at executive chambers, government house, Uyo, was witnessed by the deputy governor, Speaker, Akwa Ibom house of assembly, members of the state executive council, former chief judges, among others.

Performing the oath of allegiance and office, Emmanuel congratulated the new chief judge, on her appointment and reassured the judiciary of his commitment to collaborate and support the third arm of government.

“Let me congratulate our Chief Judge on her elevation from acting to substantive Chief Judge today, I also want to especially appreciate the State House of Assembly for swift response to ratify her appointment,” he said.

“Let me appreciate the former Chief Judges for their services to the State, and we expect a lot more collaboration. Let me reassure the entire Judiciary arm of our commitment to collaborate and support for us to have the rule of law because if you take away the rule of law there is no democracy”.

Emmanuel, however appealed to the judiciary arm of government to wade into pending cases awaiting trial and adjudicate on them in order to decongest correctional centers in the state.