After a protracted legal battle with another candidate for the seat, Steven Odey, Jarigbe Jarigbe has been sworn in as the senator for Cross River North senatorial constituency.

On Tuesday, the senator took his oath of office at the commencement of session.

The Senate Clerk, Ibrahim El-Ladan, administered the oath of office.

Mr. Jarigbe succeeds Steven Odey, who was fired by a Calabar Appeal Court in July.

The Appeal Tribunal in Calabar proclaimed the former Senator-elect in the December 5, 2020 Cross River North Senatorial District by-election.

The three-member panel, led by Justice Chioma Iheme-Nwosu, overturned a previous judgment by the Election Petition Tribunal declaring Senator Stephen Odey the election winner.

The Court had found that the tribunal had erred by issuing a decision in a case where it lacked jurisdiction.

It dismissed preliminary objections stating that considering the facts and circumstances, judgment was best served by considering the merit of the appeal.

Mr Jarigbe will occupy the seat of the late senator for the district, Rose Oko, who died in March 2020.