Beware of politicians, CJN cautions judges

 

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, yesterday charged judges in the country to be wary of the antics of the nation’s politicians “who may wish to use you in achieving their selfish ends.”

Onnoghen further advocated for the independence of the judiciary which according to him is the bedrock of democracy, saying that adherence to the rule of law is the solution to Nigeria’s problems.

Onnoghen, who gave the warning at the swearing in of 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court, Abuja, cautioned that as judicial officers and custodian of law, they should used the law as it should be used to decide matters that were brought before them, adding that “in any matter one party must win while the other loses.”

“Let me emphasise now that politics is here and election matters will be arising, as judges things should be done to bring down the temperature. We have to be careful so as not to be used as instruments for personal and intraparty squabble.

“Look at the matter before you, look at the law and use the law to decide. It doesn’t matter who win or loss, be careful. We should use the law to decide all political matters according to law because judiciary remains the hope of every man whether superman or ordinary man.”

Onnoghen further charged them to abide by the constitution, oath of office, conduct for judicial officers and as well adhere strictly to judicial precedence if they must succeed as judges.

He stressed that impunity would vanish, when all of us resolved to do the right thing at the right time, adding that judges should not entertain counsel appearing before them who are not properly dressed.

He added that “when judges do the right things at the right time, they will sleep and snore and will not care whose ox is gored because judiciary and the law will be there to protect them.”

Explaining further, Onnoghen said judges “will be sleepless when they cut corners,” adding that they must be courageous and fearless in the discharge of their duties.

“As judicial officers, you carry the whole nation on your head in terms of justice dispensation and when you adhere to your oath of office, there would be no problem.

“Your appointment and inauguration is not for holiday, but an invitation to hard work. Your track records are there, but you can improve on them because of the new status and new challenges.”

 

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