Gov Ayade Promises To Review Judge’s Salary, Swears in Customary Court Of Appeal President
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, yesterday, promises to review the salary of judges in the state when he swore in Justice Maurice Eneji as the president of the Customary Court of Appeal.
At the event held at the State Executive Council Chamber, Prof. Ayade decried the poor salary structure of judges in the country, noting that despite the lean financial resources, Cross River would be the torchbearer in upping the standard of living of judges by reviewing their salaries.
He said he will meet the House of Assembly to ensure the new salary structure for judges takes effect by March 1.
The governor said: “This is a very clear statement that will charge the whole country on to look into the salary of judges.
“From the 1st of March, the salary of our judicial officers in Cross River State will be changed for good. We will increase your salaries so that other states can know that Cross River, which is number 35 out of 36 states in terms of federal allocation, can increase the salary of judges. If Cross River State can increase the salary of judges, which state will not increase? It is a way to compel them to increase the salary of judges because it is sad that you put a man in such a sensitive position and expose him to temptation by leaving him on the same salary scale for 13 years.”
According to him, “Cross River State will enact the appropriate law in partnership with the legislature so that by March, we will have a new salary structure for our judges.”
Also sworn in were four High Court judges and four Customary Court judges.
The four 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 are Justice Daniel Ofre Kulo, Justice Rita Otu Marshall, Justice Odibu Emmanuel Ekanya and Justice Obin Blessing Egwu.
