Kogi CJ swears in Notary Public, harps on discipline

The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Nasiru Ajanah, has sworn-in Barrister Muazu Adinoyi Abbas as  Notary Public for the state.

Preforming the  swearing-in ceremony of the new Notary Public at the conference hall of the High Court of Justice headquarters in Lokoja on Friday, the Chief Judge charged him to comply with the provisions of the Second Schedule of the Notary Public Act.

Justice Ajanah said that the increasing number of Notaries Public in the state was a heartwarming trend and an acknowledgement of the caliber of legal practitioners that are available in Kogi state.

He noted that the appointment of Mr. Abbas was particularly made possible because his honesty, dedication to duty, candour and belief in the rule of law was not in doubt and that brought the well-merited appointment.

He, however, added that since the appointment was an acknowledgement of hard-work, it must equally be reciprocated with a sense of responsibility by the recipient, who he said would constantly be in public scrutiny over his conduct and discharge of his responsibilities.

He pointed out that display of such responsibility would only be notable if Mr. Abbas uses his new office so solve the problems confronting dispensation of justice in the state.

He said: “As an officer of the Supreme Court and in accordance with the Notary Public Act, you are imbued with some powers and responsibilities. You are to exempt yourself from acting in matters which you have interest in and in other cases you are to perform your responsibilities with utmost good faith.

“Your charges therefore, are to comply with the provisions of the Second Schedule of the Notary Public Act.  I am not in doubt that you will abide by these requirements.

“I implore you to use the position of the office of Notary Public to meet the challenges of the problems of justice and for the benefit of the people of Kogi State only and not for the purpose of mischief or fanning the embers of political sentiments or differences in religious beliefs or tribalism.

The Chief Judge finally thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, for honouring the practitioners in Kogi state with the appointment and for giving him the honor to be the judicial officer to administer the Oath of Notary Public on the appointee.

After taking the oath of office, Mr. Abbas, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to God, the CJN and the CJ for being privileged to be honoured with the appointment while pledging to do his best within the law to enhance the office of the Notary Public as well as the legal profession entirely.

“I will do my best within the confines of the oath of the Notary Public Act. I will continue to uphold and uplift the tenets of the office of the Notary Public  and the legal profession” he said.

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