The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Monday, asked the new justices to see themselves as the representatives of God on earth.
According to him, any judgment given by the justices could only be set aside in heaven.
Ariwoola spoke in Abuja shortly after the swearing-in of the 11 new Supreme Court justices
He also urged the justices to be prepared for criticisms or verbal assaults by litigants who lose cases, adding that as justices of the final court of the land, appellants’ expectations are often very high and infectious.
He said, “See yourselves as the representatives of God on earth because as any judgment given at this level can only be upturned in heaven.
“There is no way you can please human beings, especially litigants. The easiest way to fail in life is by trying to please everyone. The only deity you can fear is the Almighty God. Once your judgment is in consonance with what God expects from you, and is also in accordance with the Constitution, you should consider yourself the happiest and freest person on earth.”
Ariwoola reminded the justices that they would give an account of their stewardship as justices to God one day.
He also cautioned the justices against allowing their ambition to cloud their sense of judgment.
Ariwoola also lamented that it took too long before the court could get its full complement.
He said, “The inability of the Court to meet up the statutory full compliment of 21 Justices had lingered on for too long.
“You are coming to join the Supreme Court Bench at a time when the rank had been grossly depleted to an all-time low of ten Justices for a number of reasons, mainly retirement and deaths.
“Your moral uprightness, integrity, and respect for the constitution and other extant laws in operation must be unwavering and unassailable.”
The newly appointed justices are Jummai Sankey, Chidiebere Uwa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Haruna Simon Tsammani, Moore Aseimo A. Adumein, Obande Festus Ogbuinya, and Stephen Jonah Adah.
Others are Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru, Jamilu Yammama Tukur, Abubakar Sadiq Umar, and Mohammed Baba Idris.
The National Assembly had on December 21, 2023, confirmed the elevation of the justices following President Bola Tinubu’s recommendation.
Credit: punchng.com
