Nigeria needs honest judicial officers –CJN

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, said the myriad of problems that had bedeviled the country required urgent interventions by sincere and honest judicial officers. The CJN, who expressed concern over the dwindling image of the judiciary, warned judicial officers against engaging in underhand dealings that would tarnish the image of the judiciary.

Rather, Justice Ariwoola admonished judges to be guided by their conscience, the fear of God and the Constitution in the discharge of their duties. The CJN gave the warning on Friday while administering the oath of office on the newly appointed Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Justice Stanley Adekunle Lawal. Justice Ariwoola noted that the oath of office was a mandatory exercise required to align the conscience of judicial officers with good conduct, fear of God and the nation’s constitution to which they all sworn to uphold under any condition. The CJN said the country was earnestly and passionately looking for a crop of judicial officers who would be role models capable of confidently hoisting the banner of honesty, integrity and uprightness. He further warned judicial officers to be wary of unmerited material possessions that would weaken their reputation and equally impair their sense of judgment. To the new acting president of the Customary Court of Appeal, the CJN said: “This is not my wish for your lordship anyway. However, you should always be very careful and vigilant too. In everything you do in the course of adjudicating, you must consult your God, the constitution and your conscience.

“Always have at the back of your mind, as I believe you always, that at every point of your life, someone somewhere is right behind you and taking note of all your conduct.”