•Why CJN must not fail –Saraki
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, charged the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen to restore the people’s confidence in the Judiciary.
He gave the charge shortly after Onnoghen was sworn-in as the substantive CJN at the Presidential Villa Abuja, yesterday. The inauguration was witnessed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former CJNs, members of the Federal Executive Council, Justices of the Supreme Court and his family members, among others.
Shortly after administering the oath of office, Osinbajo also decorated Onnoghen with the second highest national honour of the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) and conveyed President Muhammadu Buhari’s congratulatory message to him.
Osinbajo described the post of CJN as “next to God” and said Onnoghen was assuming the position at a crucial time in the nation’s history. He charged him to revive and sustain the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary which, he said, ought to be the last hope of the common man. The acting president described Onnoghen as a good choice.
“From this day, March 7, 2017, Justice Onnoghen becomes the custodian and protector of the highest duties society owes its people; fairness, Justice and truth. ”My Lord, you assume this position at a crucial time in the history of our nation; it is a time when all arms of government have suffered loss of confidence of the people, so also with the judiciary.” Osinbajo prayed that Onnoghen’s tenure would revive and sustain that confidence. “I believe the choice the people of this nation have made is a right choice, indeed; and I pray you will leave up to all of the expectations,” he said.
In his remarks, Onnoghen promised to lead the judiciary and ensure the independence of the arm of government. He urged all to adhere strictly to the rule of law and solicited the cooperation of all the justices of the supreme court.
“I solicit the cooperation of everybody; there are three arms of government and these three arms belong to the same government. We should explore areas of cooperation to enable us move the country forward.
“On my part as the head of the judiciary, I assure you, from the past experience, the key to everything in a democratic setting is adherence to the rule of law. Let us try to encourage the independence of the judiciary, so as to ensure the rule of law,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senate President, Bukola Saraki has noted that the new CJN cannot afford to fail.
He said Onnoghen has enough time in his tenure to carry out fundamental reforms of the judiciary.
“We want to see a judiciary that also cooperates with other arms of government in doing a lot of reforms. And I think he has about four years, and that gives time for a lot of reforms in the judiciary.
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State was conspicuously absent at the ceremony. He was also absent when Onnoghen was sworn in as acting chief judge on November 10 last year.