You should base your decisions on the constitution rather than popular opinion, the CJN instructs incoming judges

According to Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), public opinion cannot control the nation’s judicial system, no matter how powerful or influential it may be.

The country’s 1999 Constitution cannot be superseded or overruled, according to the CJN, in the case at hand.

He commanded the nation’s judges to always follow the Constitution when making decisions in any situations that were presented to them.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) said during the inauguration of a new batch of 23 judges for the Federal High Court of Nigeria that the judiciary is frequently the target of vicious criticism, adding that it is obvious that the public’s opinion, no matter how serious or significant it may be, cannot supersede or override the country’s Constitution, which judges use to decide each case.

Some prominent solicitors said yesterday that the 23 freshly appointed judges’ swearing-in ceremony will speed up the administration of justice.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) noted that judicial officials still owe it to their consciences and the general Nigerian populace, especially those who look up to them, to uphold and maintain the trust that has been placed in them.

He declared, “The Federal High Court’s newly appointed judges just took the oath of office. The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution establishes this as a requirement.

“Due to the oath you just took, you now have a new position and set of responsibilities in life. You have recently turned a new page in your life’s story, and as is the case with public office, particularly the judiciary, you are entirely exposed to everyday public scrutiny.

The pen is in your hand, ready for you to write whatever you want on the new page that is now visible to everyone in the public.

“Like I constantly say, even though judges aren’t supernatural beings or spirits, society nonetheless expects them to do a lot of difficult things.

“I really sympathise with you regarding the landmines that are already laying in your footsteps throughout your adjudication, especially if your conscience conflicts with your conduct. I warmly celebrate with you on this extremely significant and sensitive assignment.

“The bench is not for the slothful, the greedy, or those of questionable character who are prone to accepting a plate of porridge presented by frantic litigants.

“At all times, you must overcome challenges and temptations that could impede or even stop your ascent to the top of your profession. Without a sure, we are all human, but you show it by performing those remarkable feats that others might assume you are incapable of.

“That is what distinguishes people with integrity and a hunger for success from people with weak backgrounds and moral compass that isn’t functioning properly.

“My lords, for the nth time, I wish to impress it on you in very clear terms that the exercise that has just taken place, should not, by any vestige of imagination, be taken for granted or simply tagged as one of those usual ceremonies just conducted to comply with established procedures and obligations in public office.

“You’ve just made a lifetime pact with the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Almighty God. From here day forward, everything you perform correctly will be credited to you.

The same conscience that you may have refused to listen to will be utilised to conscientize, admonish, and thoroughly sanitise any wrongdoing that results from any type of indiscretion and misuse of office.

“Being appointed to the bench does not entitle one to wealth, arrogance, a dishonest personality, or an expensive lifestyle supported by dishonest associates.

“All judicial officers in the nation are under the strong searchlight of the National Judicial Council. Never, either by omission or commission, should the NJC be confused for a Bulldog without teeth.

It has a powerful bark and a powerful, aggressive bite. Every type of corruption and misconduct by judicial officers can be detected by our highly developed radar, and we won’t hesitate to take the required steps to root out the bad apples.

“Your adjudication location’s distance from us won’t ever make it difficult for us to see you. We have the necessary equipment in place to record and capture your behaviour.

Therefore, exercise caution and pay attention; otherwise, you risk regretting ever accepting the position of judicial officer. But in any case, we don’t wish you that!

“The entire letters and words of the oath you just took must reside in a prominent place of your heart and be liberally applied in your judgements,” the oath reads.

“This is a bond that you should internalise and abide by as you render judgement in all issues brought before you.

“You must always act justly, impartially, and fairly towards everyone. The times we live in are exceedingly dangerous, thus we require judges who are logical, honest, impartial, and detached in all respects.

Therefore, the CJN stated, “Your appointments to the bench at this pivotal time in our nation’s history are not by accident but by divine ordination.”

Following the event, a few solicitors spoke to express their gratitude to the judiciary’s leadership for the appointment, which they claimed occurred at the perfect time.

They questioned why it was taking so long to name new justices to fill the open seats on the top court.

Even though some Supreme Court justices have passed away or retired, their places are still open. The Supreme Court currently has 11 justices, leaving 10 other posts open.

Also yesterday, senior lawyer Abdul Balogun praised the NJC for choosing the 23 justices for the high court while also pleading with them to choose new justices for the supreme court to lighten the load on the current justices.

“I commend the judiciary’s leadership for appointing the 23 high court judges, but the open seats at the supreme court also need to be filled,” the petitioner said. There is no question that the appointment of the 23 justices would help the country’s justice system even more, and adding additional justices to the top court will not only help the justice system, but will also lighten the workload of the current justices, the president stated.

Jonah Apam, a barrister, also urged the NJC to move quickly to help clear the courts of congestion.

He claims that the current overflow of cases in the courts will be relieved by the appointment of new justices.