The Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN Justice Olukayode Lateef Ariwoola Friday sworn-in the new acting President of Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Stanley Adekunle Lawal.
At the ceremony, the CJN advised the Justice Lawal to consult God, the constitution and his conscience in the course of adjudication.
Judges he restated must be wary of unmerited material possessions, saying it could weaken their reputation and impair their sense of judgment.
Justice Ariwoola also told the acting President Customary Court of Appeal to remember that destiny has placed enormous responsibility on his shoulders to lead his brother Judges and staff of the court effectively.
Nigeria, according to Ariwoola, is currently plagued with a myriad of problems that require sincere and honest interventions of judicial officers, saying his presence at the helm of Customary Court of Appeal affairs should crystallize the image of the Nigerian Judiciary by doing justice to all matters.
The CJN added: “We hear of corruptions of various forms, killings, kidnappings, armed robbery, banditry and all forms of terrorism against the state and individual citizens. Most of these cases find their way to the court for the right and proper adjudication.”
“You must not fail and you must not falter.” The CJN advised.Nigeria is passionately looking for a crop of judicial officers who will be role – models that can confidently hoist the banner of honesty, integrity and uprightness.
“The current state of affairs in the country needs nothing short of that.”
Going forward, he then charged the new President to prove his adjudicatory and administrative ingenuity in order to earn a lasting reputation in the annals of Nigerian judiciary.
