The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Wednesday inaugurated Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, the High Court Judge of the Federal Capital Territory who recently voided the detention of embattled former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele along side 21 other judges.
Justice Olukayode had not only ordered the release of Emefiele, but also imposed a N100M fine on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for detaining Emefiele beyond the period allowed by law.
The CJN, at the inauguration charged the new Justices to be upright in their justice delivery to Nigerians without fear or favor.
“My Lords, you have just taken the oath to pledge your allegiance to the dictates of the Almighty God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is a solemn pledge and commitment to good conduct in the course of your adjudication, especially as senior judicial officers in the appellate court.
“Today’s ceremony is an indication of the perilous times that we are currently in, which has resulted in an upsurge in litigation.
“Several unfathomable crimes are being committed in the country, aside from the usual political matters that have made litigations to go on alarming rise.
“No Court in the land is spared of this litigation deluge, as it were. We are constantly on our toes and the dockets are ever increasing in response tO the challenges of the time.
“This underscores the fact that Nigeria is fast emerging as a frontline crime-infested country that we all have to urgently curtail,” he said.
The CJN also warned against giving conflicting judgements as well as frivolous interlocutory orders, which according to hims have attempted to make a mockery of the judicial system.
“Several cases of such abound across the length and breadth of the country. This is, largely, an embarrassment to our jurisprudence, and we win never handle it with levity. Punitive measures must definitely be meted out to such erring Judges.
“We have already activated the process of reining-in such errant Judges with a view to making them face the consequence of their despicable and odious conduct,” the Justices aid.
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He added that the judges must “give a good account of yourselves to justify your elevation to the Court of Appeal.”
Justice Ariwoola who referenced the upcoming gubernatorial election in Edo and Ondo State, urged the new Appeal Court judges to dutifully hear all matters that come before the court and adjudicate according to the laws of the land.
“We must not falter; and we must not tread the path of infamy. Yes, it is true that 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 the Nigerian citizens will equally be happy about,” he added.
Justice Adeniyi on January 8 barred the federal government and any of its agencies from re-arresting, detaining and harassing him over any alleged offense without first obtaining a warrant of arrest from a court of competent jurisdiction.
The judge issued the order after declaring the detention of Emefiele for over five months by the Department of State Service and EFCC as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.
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