Nigeria at crossroads, needs honest judges – CJN

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has declared that Nigeria is at a crossroads and needs the service of honest judges who would promote the rule of law.

Ariwoola said this at the swearing-in of the newly appointed Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Stanley Lawal.

“At the crossroads we have found ourselves in Nigeria today, we are earnestly and passionately looking for a crop of judicial officers who will be role models that can confidently hoist the banner of honesty, integrity and uprightness.

“The current state of affairs in the country needs nothing short of that. You must endeavour to prove your adjudicatory and administrative ingenuity to earn a lasting reputation in the annals of the Nigerian judiciary.

“This is a mandatory exercise that requires to align the conscience of our judicial officers with good conduct, fear of God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to which we have all solemnly sworn to uphold under any condition,” the CJN said.

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Justice Ariwoola stated that Nigeria is currently plagued with myriad of problems that require sincere and honest interventions of judicial officers.

“We hear of corruption of various forms, killings, kidnappings, armed robbery, banditry, and all forms of terrorism against the state and individual citizens.

“Most often, these cases find their way to the court for the right and proper adjudication.

“At the two lower rung of the judicial ladder, you are there to represent our interest and crystalise the image of the Nigerian Judiciary by doing justice to all matters that Come before your Lordship.”

He, therefore, asked his Lordship not fail nor falter.

The Star