All Hail Emperor Ayade BY EBUN-OLU ADEGBORUWA, SAN

…On March 3, 2020, Governor Ayade turned the beautiful face of the judiciary in Nigeria upside down when he proceeded to swear in Honourable Justice Maurice Eneji, as the Acting Chief Judge of Cross-River State, to displace Honourable Justice Akon Ikpeme, whose tenure expired in acting capacity on March 2, 2020. It was an executive act that blew dust on the face of the judiciary directly, ranking as it were, as the greatest act of impunity so far displayed against the most sacred institution of governance. Now, what is the case in Cross-River State? It is that Ikpeme J, is the most senior judge in the Cross-River State judiciary, but she is a lady and she is from Akwa Ibom State by origin, married to a citizen of Cross-River State. Eneji J, is next to her in the rank of seniority and he is a man, from Cross-River State, by origin…