The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has said the judiciary remains resolute and committed to upholding its independence.
Speaking at the swearing-in of two new justices of the Supreme Court: Amina Augie and Ejembi Eko, in Abuja yesterday, the CJN said all courts in the country are empowered to adjudicate with utmost fairness and justice as prescribed in the constitution and the law.
Mohammed said: “We must not forget that we operate a constitutional democracy, which clearly prescribes the powers accorded to each organ of the state.
“I therefore wish to state without fear of contradiction that the third arm of government will remain resolute in its commitment and resolve to uphold its independence.”
He said the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) last week to suspend seven judges accused of corruption, showed the desire of the judiciary to preserve its independence.
The NJC made a u-turn last week and took a decision to ask judges being investigated to recuse themselves from official duties after initially declining to do so, arguing that there were no evidence of wrongdoing against the judges.
The judges had earlier been arrested by the Department State Services (DSS) for alleged corrupt acts.
“Certainly, the decision of the NJC at its last meeting reflects our desire to preserve this independence.
“Hence, we proclaimed to the world that any judicial officer standing trial will cease to perform judicial functions.
Speaking at the swearing-in of two new justices of the Supreme Court: Amina Augie and Ejembi Eko, in Abuja yesterday, the CJN said all courts in the country are empowered to adjudicate with utmost fairness and justice as prescribed in the constitution and the law.
Mohammed said: “We must not forget that we operate a constitutional democracy, which clearly prescribes the powers accorded to each organ of the state.
“I therefore wish to state without fear of contradiction that the third arm of government will remain resolute in its commitment and resolve to uphold its independence.”
He said the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) last week to suspend seven judges accused of corruption, showed the desire of the judiciary to preserve its independence.
The NJC made a u-turn last week and took a decision to ask judges being investigated to recuse themselves from official duties after initially declining to do so, arguing that there were no evidence of wrongdoing against the judges.
The judges had earlier been arrested by the Department State Services (DSS) for alleged corrupt acts.
“Certainly, the decision of the NJC at its last meeting reflects our desire to preserve this independence.
“Hence, we proclaimed to the world that any judicial officer standing trial will cease to perform judicial functions.
“The council took this stand following communications it received from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) that he was embarking on the prosecution of the affected judicial officers for the offences disclosed against them,” he said.
The CJN urged the new justices to continue to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
“You must remain blind to personality and status, and remain the hope of all men, whether common or uncommon.
“Hence, the integrity and impartiality of our courts must not be in question or compromised.
“I am confident that with the institutions and initiatives that we have put in place, the Nigerian judiciary will evolve to meet the high standards demanded by our citizens,” the CJN said.
Eko was a Justice of the Court of Appeal, before his elevation to the Supreme Court.
The CJN urged the new justices to continue to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
“You must remain blind to personality and status, and remain the hope of all men, whether common or uncommon.
“Hence, the integrity and impartiality of our courts must not be in question or compromised.
“I am confident that with the institutions and initiatives that we have put in place, the Nigerian judiciary will evolve to meet the high standards demanded by our citizens,” the CJN said.
Eko was a Justice of the Court of Appeal, before his elevation to the Supreme Court.
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