The Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade has sworn in Justice Sampson Anjor as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal.
Justice Anjor would serve in acting capacity,
Governor Ayade urged him to pursue justice devoid of ethnic, religion or political prejudices.
He also urged the Customary Court of Appeal President to focus on peace and reconciliation.
The Governor said; “We are gathered to celebrate Justice Anjor, who is being elevated to Acting President of Customary Court of Appeal in Cross River state. I like to say that you are the custodian of our culture, our heritage and so, as you are elevated to this position, I urge you to look at the jurisprudence of our socio-cultural setting in dispensing customary justice.
“It is also important that you focus on peace and reconciliation; you must bring a lot of innovation and your wealth of experience to bear in dispensing justice to our people.”
According to him, “Sometimes it is not the office that defines you; it is you that defines the office. Therefore, I do not doubt your capacity to deliver because I know you are God-fearing and that you will be fair to all.
“I urge you to be insensitive to politics, insensitive to ethnicity, insensitive to religion but let God take control of your office so that you do that which is good before God.”
Upholding Customary Law
Responding, Justice Anjor promised to discharge his duty in line with the dictate of the law and expressed appreciation to the Governor for finding him worthy to be appointed.
Anjor stated, “I will not take this honour for granted. I will ensure that this court that you created functions effectively. The importance of the Customary Court of Appeal cannot be over emphasised because it deals with the grassroots. It is a specialized court and we will dispense justice fairly.”
“By creating the Customary Court of Appeal, you created in one fell swoop, five judicial offices. It is unprecedented in the state. As the president of this court, I will do my best to synergize with other courts to ensure justice delivery. Now the people in land tenancy dispute would have speedy justice because such cases were handled at the magistrate courts, which are already saturated with other cases. So, this is a step forward for the judiciary in Cross River State,” Justice Anjor states.
The ceremony was held at the Governor’s office Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in south-south Nigeria and attended by the Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme and other justices.
The highlight of the ceremony was the inauguration of a special committee to review the wages and retirement benefits of judicial officers in Cross River.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
