File: Justice Ekaete Obot
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, has sworn in sixteen newly appointed Notaries Public.
The lawyers were recommended by the Chief Judge herself and subsequently approved by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Speaking shortly after administering the oath prescribed in the Notaries Public Act 2023, Justice Obot reminded the new notaries of the weight of the responsibility they now carry.
She charged them to exercise their duties faithfully and prepare contracts and instruments in a transparent manner
Obot said, ”I charge you to exercise your duties faithfully, prepare contracts and instruments transparently, and refrain from diminishing any aspect of such documents without the knowledge and consent of the parties involved.”
She cautioned them against attesting to any act, contract, or instrument tainted by fraud or violence, emphasising that they must always act uprightly and justly in accordance with the oath they had taken.
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.
The swearing-in of the 16 lawyers is not just a routine administrative appointment; it is a direct implementation of the new, reformed Notaries Public Act 2023 at the state level.
The Chief Judge used the occasion to issue a public charge, reinforcing the judiciary’s commitment to fighting fraud and ensuring legal instruments in the state maintain the highest level of probity and integrity.
A Notary Public is an official appointed by a government, such as a state government or a high court, to serve the public as an impartial witness to ensure the integrity of significant documents and transactions.
