The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has today after swearing-in 11 new justices have charged the new justices to see themselves as the representatives of God on earth. Ariwoola made this statement in Abuja today shortly after the swearing-in of the 11 new Supreme Court justices According to the CJN, any judgment given by these justices could only be shoved aside in heaven, and this is the more reason why they need to be careful when discharging their duty.
Although he reminded the justices to prepare themselves for criticisms or verbal assaults by litigants who lose cases, however, as justices of the final court of the land, they should know that appellants’ expectations are often very high and infectious.
In his statement, “See yourselves as the representatives of God on earth because as any judgment given at this level can only be upturned in heaven.
“There is no way you can please human beings, especially litigants. The easiest way to fail in life is by trying to please everyone. 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.”
Ariwoola reminded the justices that they would give an account of their stewardship as justices to God one day.
He further cautioned the justices against allowing their personal ambition to interfere with their sense of judgment.
According to Arowola, though it took a lot of effort to get the full complement of the apex court, saying the inability of the system to meet p with the 21 justices as prescribed by law have took too long but at last has been achieved.
While admonishing the new justices, the CJN said, “You are coming to join the Supreme Court Bench at a time when the rank had been grossly depleted to an all-time low of ten Justices for a number of reasons, mainly retirement and deaths.
“Your moral uprightness, integrity, and respect for the constitution and other extant laws in operation must be unwavering and unassailable.”
Meanwhile, the new justices include; Jummai Sankey, Chidiebere Uwa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Haruna Simon Tsammani, Moore Aseimo A. Adumein, Obande Festus Ogbuinya, and Stephen Jonah Adah.
Others are Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru, Jamilu Yammama Tukur, Abubakar Sadiq Umar, and Mohammed Baba Idris.
Following President Bola Tinubu’s recommendation, the National Assembly had on December 21, 2023, approved the elevation of the justices.
