Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has on Monday, June 28 sworn in 18 judges who were recently elevated to the Court of Appeal.
The new justices of Court of Appeal are Mohammed Danjuma (Niger State), Muhammad Sirajo (Plateau), Abdul-Azeez Waziri (Adamawa), Yusuf Bashir (Taraba), Usman Musale (Yobe), Ibrahim Jauro (Yobe), Abba Mohammed (Kano State), Bature Gafai (Katsina), Danlami Senchi (Kebbi), and Mohammed Abubakar (Sokoto).
Others are Hassan Sule (Zamfara), Kenneth Amadi (Imo), Peter Affen (Bayelsa), Sybil Gbagi (Delta), Olasunbo Goodluck (Lagos), Adebukola Banjoko (Ogun), Olabode Adegbehingbe (Ondo), and Bola Ademola (Ondo).
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the appointment of 18 new justices following a recommendation by National Judicial Council (NJC).
Muhammad fixed Thursday, April 29, to swear in the justices. However, the inauguration ceremony was postponed indefinitely owing to JUSUN strike at the time.
Ahuraka Isah, senior special assistant on media to the CJN, also said another reason for the postponement was to enable the new judges “clear their desks in their various offices”, to ensure that there are no outstanding issues before they assume their new responsibilities.
Incorporated Trustees of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) had filed a suit seeking to quash the appointment of the judges.
The group alleged the south-east region was marginalised in the selection process but in a judgment on Friday, Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit and held that the plaintiff lacked the legal right to institute the case.
During the swearing in, a drama played out when Justice Olasunbo Goodluck, a Christian, took her oath in the name of Allah.
Immediately, the CJN corrected her and she took it in the name of God.
Giving his speech after the swearing-in, the CJN congratulated the new judges and asked them not to compromise in their new status so that they can be counted among the best in Nigeria.
Tanko asked the judges to conduct their affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath of office administered on them.
He reminded them that all eyes were on them and that they should avoid temptations, as their integrity was key.
According to the CJN, there is nothing that is done in secret that will not see the light of day.
He said the judges must give a good conduct of themselves, be fair and just, to justify their elevation to the position of Court of Appeal judges.
