Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Mukhtar
By Tobi Soniyi
By Tobi Soniyi
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Mukhtar, has advised judges to be politically-neutral in the dispensation of justice.
Speaking after 25 newly-appointed justices of the Court of Appeal took judicial oath at the Supreme Court Monday, Mukhtar reminded the judges that after the forthcoming general election, they would be called upon to adjudicate in elections tribunals.
She said: "As judicial officers you will soon be presiding over election cases, among others, therefore, as judges you must be politically neutral and rise up to safe guard our democracy, and ensure the rights of litigants and the tenets of justice are upheld and help to dispense justice for the purpose of safeguarding and protecting our constitution and its goals."
She urged them to do their job with honesty so as to sustain public confidence in the judiciary.
She urged them to bear in mind that the right to implement legal authority in any matter was predicated upon public opinion, and ethics.
She urged them to bear in mind that the right to implement legal authority in any matter was predicated upon public opinion, and ethics.
"Public confidence in the judicial system rests on public trust and perception as well as the established and sustained propriety of the judiciary which help to encourage citizens’ readiness to comply with the law," she added.
According to her, societal perception of the integrity of the judicial system occupies an important role in the assistance of social order by directing the law in a manner that guarantees the important requirements of justice.
For this reason, she advised them to contribute their best to efficiently administer justice.
For this reason, she advised them to contribute their best to efficiently administer justice.
She also reiterated her zero tolerance for corruption.
She said the judiciary would not tolerate acts of misconduct and disloyalty from judges.
She said the judiciary would not tolerate acts of misconduct and disloyalty from judges.
She therefore advised the judges to maintain true allegiance to their judicial oaths and abide by the demands of the Code of Conduct for judicial officers.
She said: "I urge you to understand that there is no middle ground and no room on the bench for those found to be contemptible arbiters of truth.
She said: "I urge you to understand that there is no middle ground and no room on the bench for those found to be contemptible arbiters of truth.
"There shall be zero tolerance to judicial corruption and misconduct in the Nigerian Judiciary."
Currently, the Court of Appeal maintains about 16 judicial divisions in 16 cities of Nigeria to service specific states.
The court now has 70 justices as required by the law.
Currently, the Court of Appeal maintains about 16 judicial divisions in 16 cities of Nigeria to service specific states.
The court now has 70 justices as required by the law.
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