By Ebere Agozie
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kayode Ariwoola says Nigeria is fast emerging as a frontline crime-infested country that should be urgently curtailed by all.
Ariwoola said this at the swearing-in ceremony of 22 newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal on Wednesday in Abuja.
He noted that several unfathomable crimes are being committed in the country, aside from the usual political matters that have made litigations to reach alarming levels.
He said that the enormous task of cleaning the Augean stable rests squarely on the shoulders of their Lordships.
“So, you must hastily fasten your belt and roll up your sleeves to face the challenges head-on. In other words, you should hit the ground speeding at a supersonic velocity; and not just running.
“You must redouble your pace to catch up with the expectations of the sprawling community of litigants. As judicial officers, you have a divine mandate on earth that you must discharge with unveiled honesty and sincerity.
“Above all, you must give good account of yourselves to justify your elevation to the Court of Appeal,’’ he added.
He reminded the judges of the need to be diligent in the discharge of their duties even as they face two governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
“As usual, the courts will be besieged with a plethora of petitions. It is our statutory duty to hear all matters that come before us and adjudicate according to the laws of the land.
“We must not falter; and we must not tread the path of infamy.
“Yes, it is true that we cannot please everyone through our actions and work, but with the right application of the law and the constitution of the land, which we all have collectively pledged to uphold; we can go a long way to do those things that our conscience will be very proud of; and the generality of the Nigerian citizens will equally be happy about.
“Every position we attain in life always avails us that unique opportunity to do something novel and impactful, especially if there was any previous act of wrongdoing or misapplication of discretion.
“With your lordships’ elevation to the higher bench today, you have to be very mindful of the enormous confidence the public is now reposing in you vis-a-vis their expectations’’.
He lamented the fact that the judiciary has been treated to an unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgments as well as frivolous interlocutory orders emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
“These have literally attempted to make a mockery of our judicial system and flagrantly desecrate the revered temple of justice.
“Several cases of such abound across the length and breadth of the country. This is, largely, an embarrassment to our jurisprudence, and we will never handle it with levity.
“Punitive measures must definitely be meted out to such erring Judges”.
“We have already activated the process of reining-in such errant Judges with a view to making them face the consequences of their despicable and odious conduct’’, he said.
He reminded the judges that they are not occupying their respective positions to serve themselves, but the Nigerian masses.
“And the best way we can serve them is by doing what will make them feel safe in our hands and also trust us to always deliver the right judgments that will not be tainted by sentiments, emotions or other clandestine considerations’’.
The new Justices are: Abdullahi Muhammad Liman from Nasarawa State; Abiodun Azeem Akinyemi from Ogun State; Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi from Oyo State; Zainab Bage Abubakar from Kebbi State; Isaq Mohammed Sani from Kaduna State, Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo from Lagos State and Ngozika U. Okaisabor from Imo State.
Others are Donatus Nwaezuoke Okorowo from Enugu State; Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola from Kogi State; Polycarp Terna Kwahar from Benue State; Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike from Rivers State; Fadawa Umaru from Borno State; Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola from Oyo State; Ntong Festus Ntong from Akwa Ibom State; Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi from Edo State; and Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba from Abia State.
The rest are Abdu Dogo from Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Abdulazeez M. Anka from Zamfara State; Owibunkeonye Onwosi from Ebonyi State; Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf from Kwara State; Victoria Toochukwu Nwoye from Anambra State; and Enenche Eleojo from Kogi State.
