CJN admits evidence against judges

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed

Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday revealed that National Judicial Council, NJC, reconsidered its position on some judges facing corruption allegation after it was confronted with overwhelming evidence.

The CJN spoke during the swearing in ceremony of two newly appointed Justices of the Supreme Court, Amina Augie and Ejembi Eko.

Justices Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court were among the seven judges arrested in a sting operation by the Department of State Services, DSS, between October 7 and 8.

Mohammed said NJC asked the affected judges to step aside when it was confronted with proof of evidence against them.

“The NJC took the new stand following communications it received from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice that he was embarking on the prosecution of the affected judicial officers for the offences disclosed against them from the evidence on the ground,” he said.

The CJN noted that the decision taken two weeks ago by NJC that judicial officers standing trial would cease to perform judicial functions until such an officer established his or her innocence was to preserve the independence of the judiciary.

“Hence, we proclaimed to the world that any judicial officer that is standing trial will cease to perform judicial functions.

“A common thread that runs through all judiciaries is that judicial officers are traditionally accorded the highest dignity and respect by all. This is because justice is rooted in confidence and where confidence in our judges is undermined and independence eroded, it is the nation that ultimately suffers most, while true democracy is fatally undermined.

“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 contradict that the Third Arm of Government will remain resolute in its commitment and resolve to uphold its independence and to adjudicate with utmost fairness and justice as prescribed in our constitution and the law,” Mohammed stated.

The CJN, while urging the newly appointed justices to be firm and honest in the discharge of their judicial functions, said they are coming in at a time the judiciary is facing lots of challenges but expressed optimism that they will adhere strictly to their oath of allegiance to dispense justice without fear or favour.

He charged them to remain blind to personality and status, and to also remain the last of all men whether common or uncommon

“You must remain blind to personality and status and remain the hope of all men, whether common or uncommon. Hence the integrity and the 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,” he added.

Justices Okoro and Ngwuta were visibly absent during the swearing in.

Culled from the Mirror