An Appeal Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River, on Wednesday, reserved its judgment in the appeal filed by human rights lawyers seeking to protect the fundamental rights of Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme of the Cross River State Judiciary for his non-confirmation as Chief Judge, following the dismissal of the suit by a Federal High Court.
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TheNigerialawyer recalls that Kunle Edun, Ike Augustine, O. Adams Ochuagu, Emmanuel Ewere, Adedapo Adejumo, Daniel Kip, some Learned Silks, Chief Ferdinand Orbhi, SAN, and Femi Falana, SAN, Anthony Malik, approached the Calabar Judicial Division of the Federal High Court in a public interest litigation suit seeking to enforce the fundamental rights of Honourable Justice Akon Ikpeme over the non-confirmation by the Cross River State House of Assembly on the discriminatory ground that she poses a security risk, not being an indigene of the State despite her recommendation by the National Judicial Council as the Chief Judge of Cross River State.
However, Justice S.A Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Calabar dismissed the said suit on the ground that there was no fact showing that the Respondents refused to confirm Justice Ikpeme on the basis of her place of origin and therefore noted that the suit lacked merit.
The former NBA National Publicity Secretary, Kunle Edun, while speaking with TheNigerialawyer(TNL) commended his other Applicants who were involved in the matter in one way or the other.
In his exact words: “We thank Learned Silk Ferdinand Orbhi, SAN who had to fly in from Benin-Abuja enroute Calaba just for this matter, at his own cost. Flight and lodging at his own cost. We are immensely grateful sir. Learned Silk Anthony Malik was to be with us in Calabar today but for the inadequate notice (we were served the hearing notice on Monday afternoon). We are eternally also grateful to Learned Silk Femi Falana, SAN whose contribution in this matter from the onset has been helpful and timely. He actually propelled us to file this action with a seed capital.
“Kudos also to our resident counsel in Calabar, they are many but let me mention particularly Daniel Kip and Assam Assam. Seeing the passion these young men have shown in this matter, i am hopeful that this country shall get it right soon.
“They were the field soldiers and against all odds, they stood tall and showed courage till the end.
“Ike Augustine Esq., my co- Plaintiff and Co-Appellant, aluta continua. You are great,” Kunle noted.
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