Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad yesterday told newly appointed Supreme Court justices that as representatives of God on earth, they will one day give account of their stewardship to Him in the end.
He warned them not to allow their personal ambition or any extraneous considerations to becloud their sense of judgment in the discharge of their judicial functions.
The CJN who spoke after administering the oath of office on them further warned that their interactions with people of unenviable inclinations and pedigree must be halted forthwith if there is any.
The new justices are: Mohammed Garba Lawal, Heleen Morenikeji Ogunwumiju, Abdul Aboki and Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa. Others are: Adamu Jauro, Samuel Oseji, Tijani Abubakar and Emmanuel Akomaye Agim. At the Supreme Court level of adjudication, the CJN asked them to let their conscience guide and filter every thought that traverses their minds.
“I have no doubt that you may have, at one time or the other, been confronted with some forms of criticisms or verbal assaults by litigants who have lost cases. I want to assure you that more of that will come your ways at the final court in the land where appellants’ expectations are often high and infectious.
“There is no way you can please human beings especially litigants and I’m making it clear that the easiest way to fail in life is to try to please everybody. The only deity you can fear is the Almighty God. Once your judgment is in consonance with what God expects from you and is also in accordance with the constitution, you should consider yourself the happiest and freest person on earth, “ he said. He reminded the new justices that their elevation to Supreme Court is a recognition of their astuteness and evident passion for hard work and urged them to bring their experiences and dexterity to bear at the apex court.
Having taken their judicial oath and rules guiding the judicial officers, the CJN further charged them that their moral uprightness, integrity and respect for the constitution and other extant laws in operations must be unwavering. With the inauguration of the eight justices, the Supreme Court now has 20 justices though the full complement is 21.