Ayade had confirmed Ikpeme on January 28, 2021 following a letter dated January 20, 2021 and signed by Secretary to the State Government , Tina Banku Agbor to Speaker of the House of Assembly, Eteng Jonah Williams, requesting her confirmation as Chief Judge.
“As God touched my heart over your matter, so has He touched the hearts of other people on your behalf. You must put behind the ordeal you passed through before your emergence as Chief Judge. With her searing in, Ikpeme becomes the second female Chief Judge in Cross River State after Justice Dorothy Iyamba . She assumed office 13 months after intrigues and face-offs between the state and the National Judicial Council .