Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot
By DELE ALABI
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, has warned the 16 newly appointed Notaries Public in the state against attesting to any act, contract, or instrument tainted by fraud or violence.
The Chief Judge who gave the charge in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Friday while administering oath of office on the officers reminded them of the weight of the responsibility they now carry.
She charged them to prepare contracts and instruments transparently, and refrain from diminishing any aspect of such documents without the knowledge and consent of the parties involved.
Those sworn in include: Iniobong Udo Uko Esq, Vivian Ijeoma Uzoma Esq, Benjamin Emmanuel Adams Esq, Emmanuel Amos Umana Esq, Ime Aquaowa Essien Esq, Edieke Paul Jumbo Esq, Isaac Tsado Oshoriame Ephraim Esq, and Samuel Akpadiagha Etuk Esq.
Others are Ndifreke Peter Udoh Esq, Akan Obotowo Esq, Sembenge Nse Ekanem Esq, Nsima Ndifreke Akpan Esq, Ifueko Ebi Ikinmwin Esq, Rotimi Omoniyi Oniyesan Esq, Ubong Edem Offiong Esq, and Lazarus Daniel Aniezi Esq. Marcellinus Marshal Udokang Esq was, however, absent.
She advised, “Don’t engage in attesting to any act, contract, or instrument tainted by fraud or violence. You must always act uprightly and justly in accordance with the oath you’ve vaken.”
Shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, the Akwa Ibom State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), comrade Sunny James accompanied by members of the State executive, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge urging her to beg Governor Umo Eno to prioritize the recruitment of about 600 judiciary casual workers.
“Those who have remained casual staff for over twenty years, earning a meagre fifteen thousand naira monthly is unacceptable, especially at a time when the State Government is set to recruit 4,000 new workers into the civil service.” James noted.
In her response, the Chief Judge expressed appreciation for the visit and for the union’s concern for workers’ welfare, particularly those in the Judiciary. She acknowledged the deplorable condition of the affected workers and disclosed that the Governor had already allocated about one thousand recruitment slots to the Judiciary.
She, however, noted that if the six hundred casual workers were absorbed first, only four hundred positions would be left. She expressed optimism that the Governor, whom she described as a listening leader, would heed her request for an additional one thousand slots, even though that number would still fall short of the Judiciary’s needs.
Justice Obot further explained that once the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC), which is constitutionally empowered to recruit judiciary staff, is fully constituted, it will commence its statutory duties.
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