The Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad said on Monday that despite overwhelming challenges, the Supreme Court and by extension, the Nigerian judiciary has fared well.
Speaking at the special session of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, to mark the commencement of the 2019/2020 legal year and swearing –in of newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Abuja, the CJN described the judiciary journey as being favourably adventurous.
According to Muhammad the prayers and advice of Nigerians, largely gave the institution the impetus and courage to remain firm and resolute in making an indelible mark in the sands of time.
“Though the journey so far cannot be said to be smooth, the good thing is that it has been favourably adventurous. In those areas we have excelled, we will endeavour to increase the tempo while in the areas of obvious shortcomings, we shall do a cursory self-assessment and forge ahead with the right mindset.”
The CJN who described the attitude of some of the lawyer as less salutary added: “Some do not even mind throwing their integrity and reputations to the winds by taking briefs that they know don’t hold grounds, just for pecuniary reasons.
He however pledged to work assiduously with speed to dispose of all case that judiciary under his leadership would be tenaciously held justice will, as always, be dispensed without fear or favour.
The CJN nevertheless implored the Nigerian police force and other security agencies involved in justice administration to make concerted effort needed to enable the wheel of justice move faster.
38 persons including the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mr Dayo Apata, were elevated to the ranks of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria by the CJN.
