*Warns Them Against Questionable Acts
By Kenneth Atavti
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Monday, swore in the newly appointed 11 Justices of the Supreme Court, warning them to shun questionable acts capable of dragging the Apex Court in the mud.
Justice Ariwoola charged the new Supreme Court Justices to note that their interactions with people of enviable inclinations and pedigree, if any, must be halted forthwith, adding that they should not to allow their personal ambition to becloud their sense of judgement.
The CJN urged the jurists to allow their conscience to guide and filter every of the thought that tranvases their mind, reminding them to be prepared of criticisms or verbal assaults by litigants who have lost cases as Justices of the final Court of the land, where appellants’ expectations are often very high and infectious.
“There is no way you can please human beings, especially litigants. The easiest way to fail in life is by trying to please everyone. The only deity you can fear is the Almighty God.
“Once your judgement is in consonance with what God expects from you, and is also in accordance with the Constitution, you should consider yourself the happiest and freest person on earth,” Ariwoola said.
He said, administering oath of office to the 11 new Justices was unprecedented in the annals of the Nigerian Supreme Court and recalled his speech last year, where-in he lamented that the inability of the Court to meet up the statutory full compliment of 21 Justices had lingered on for too long and promised to break the jinx.
The CJN told the new Justices that they are coming to join the Supreme Court Bench at a time when the rank had been grossly depleted to an all-time low of ten Justices for a number of reasons, mainly retirement and deaths.
He urged them to put in their best as seasoned judicial officers transiting from the Court of Appeal and had established remarkable acquaintances with judicial oath and roles guiding the conduct of judicial officers.
The CJN told the new Justices that their elevation to the Supreme Court Bench is in recognition of their astuteness and evident passion for hard work, which is the hallmark of judicial excellence.
“Your moral uprightness, integrity and respect for the constitution and other extant laws in operation, must be unwavering and unassailable”, he said and urged the new Justices to see themselves as the representatives of God on earth, because “any judgement given at this level can only be upturned in heaven”.
On December 21, 2023 the Senate confirmed the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fill the vacancies on the apex court bench.
The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters during plenary.
President Tinubu, had asked the Senate to confirm the nominees, who were recommended by the National Judicial Council to fill the vacant positions following the death and resignations of some justices.
The apex court justices sworn in yesterday, are Justice Haruna Tsammani (Northeast), who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North-central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South-east); and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-east)
Others are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North-Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (Northwest), Justice Abubakar Umar (Northwest) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North-Central).
