Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has urged the newly appointed judges to uphold uprightness and integrity in accordance with the laws of the land.
The CJN, who gave the charge on Wednesday at the swearing-in of new judges at the Supreme Court in Abuja, urged them to handle all matters before the court without fear or favour.
Ariwoola particularly tasked the judges that would handle election cases in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo States governorship elections to avoid treading the path of infamy.
“In the next couple of months, we shall be having two governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, respectively. As usual, the courts will be besieged with a plethora of petitions. It is our statutory duty to hear all matters that come before us and adjudicate according to the laws of the land. We must not falter and we must not tread the path of infamy.
“Yes, indeed, we cannot please everyone through our actions and work, but with the right application of the law and the constitution of the land, which we all have collectively pledged to uphold, we can go a long way to do those things that our conscience will be very proud of; and the generality of citizens will equally be happy about,” the CJN said.
He, however, vowed not to pardon erring judges who decise to make a mockery of the judiciary by churning out conflicting judgements and frivolous interlocutory orders.
“I have made it known at different fora that we have been treated to an unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgements, as well as frivolous interlocutory orders emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdictions, that have attempted to make a mockery of our judicial system and flagrantly desecrate the revered temple of justice.
““Several cases of such abound across the length and breadth of the country. This is, largely, an embarrassment to our jurisprudence and we will never handle it with levity. Punitive measures must be meted out to such erring judges.
“We have already activated the process of reining in such errant judges to make them face the consequences of their despicable and odious conduct,” he said.
Justice Ariwoola reminded the judges that their elevation is to serve at all times and they must not be involved in what would jeopardise the trust of the people in them.
He also noted that the courts in recent times have seen an increase in cases giving rise to crime and aggrieved politicians who flock to the court with political cases, he advised them to work diligently.
