CJN Cautions Judges against Acquiring Illicit Wealth

CJN Cautions Judges against Acquiring Illicit Wealth

Justice Mariam Mukhtar

Tobi Soniyi in  Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Mukhtar, Wednesday  swore in 12 newly appointed judges for the National Industrial Court despite allegation that some of the judges lacked the requisite knowledge in industrial law practice to make them eligible for the appointment.

She advised the judges not to abuse their lofty positions by engaging in corruption in a bid to acquire illicit wealth.

Speaking shortly after the judges had taken the judicial oath, Justice Mukhtar said she had a vision of a justice system that was simple, fast, efficient, and responsive to the needs and yearnings of the citizenry.
According to her, the extent to which prevalent societal currents in recent times have engulfed the judiciary demands great concern.

She said:  “As you are well aware and as I have reiterated on so many occasions, we have a vision of justice system that is simple, fast and efficient.

“It must be responsive to the needs and yearnings of the citizenry. If the public loses respect for the Bench, the society may gradually be creeping back to the days of jungle justice as less and less persons and institutions will be willing to entrust their disputes to us.”

Justice Mukhtar noted that as judicial officers, series of temptations would surely come but the ability to resist them would earn them  lasting reputation.

“You must be reluctant in condescending from your positions to acquire and hoard wealth by all possible means.

“You must also ensure that you are men of probity and of impeccable character. No aspect of your conduct should give cause for concern. You must all show the highest sense of discipline, honesty, integrity, diligence and dedication to duty as well as good behaviour.

“Except for a good reason, judicial officers must be punctual and regular in court attendance and maintain official hours of the court by sitting by 9am.

“A situation where some of our judges commence the business of the court after 9am is unacceptable,” she added.

The CJN further warned the judges  to jealously guard against disobedience of any court order in line with their oath to defend and protect the constitution.

She urged them not to  shy away from taking a firm position against a member of the public or even the bar that colluded to flaunt court orders.

She also frowned on what she described as trial by the press.
She said: “Permit me ladies and gentlemen to mention a frightening trend that is recent times has impugned on the independence of the Nigerian bench, the attitude of “press or public trial”. Painfully, it is not just newspaper columnists and editorial writers that are involved but legal practitioners unfortunately get themselves enmeshed in this unwholesome practice.

“It is not uncommon these days to see senior members of the bar, wig in hand after court sessions granting interview to eager pressmen castigating the court order or judgment just delivered.”
Justice Mukhtar explained that this conduct was highly unprofessional and unbecoming of a legal practitioner,  adding that  the honourable cause of action was to lodge an appeal at a higher court against any disagreeable judgment.

The judges inaugurated yesterday were  the immediate past Chief Registrar of the court, Mrs. Rakiya B. Haastrup; the Registrar General, Abuja Multi-Door Court House (AMDC), Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre, Abuja High Court, Mr. Waziri Abali and  the Assistant Director (Administration) National Law Reform Commission, Abuja, Mrs Rabi H. Gwandu.

Others were  the Director (Administration), Federal Judicial Service Commission, Abuja; Mr. Lawal Mani;the Assistant Chief Registrar, National Industrial Court, Jos Division,  Mrs. Olufunke Yemi Anuwe; the Director of Studies, National Judicial Institute, Abuja; Mr. John Dele Peters; the Chief Magistrate I, FCT Judiciary, Abuja,  Mrs. Oyejoju O. Oyewumi; the  Director Civil Justice, Legal Aid Council, Abuja; Mrs. Edith N. N. Agbakoba; and a private legal practitioner  from  Abia State  Mr. Amadi Kenneth Ikechukwu.

Two other private legal practitioners,  Mrs. Anthonia Ndidi Ubaka and Mr. Peter Odo Lifu as well as a chief magistrate in  Bayelsa State judiciary, Mr. Ebeye David E. Isele, also made the list.