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Jonathan Asks Nigeria’s New Chief Justice
To Clear The Rot In judiciary
PMNews
Mon Sep 26,2011
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday asked Hon. Justice Dahiru
Musdapher, the new Justice of Nigeria to tackle the problem of
growing crisis of integrity and restore the confidence of
Nigerians in the judiciary as protector of their rights and
fundamental human rights.
Justice Dahiru Musdapher
The President was speaking when he swore in Justice Musdapher as
the 12th Chief Justice of Nigeria at the Aso Rock Presidential
Villa this morning. The new CJN has been occupying the office in
Acting capacity for about a month now. “There is no doubt about
the need to embark on comprehensive reforms in the Judiciary to
enhance capacity, efficiency, and productivity as well as the
perception and confidence of the general public in the ability
of the judiciary to dispense justice”, said the President.
While noting that the judiciary has been playing its role as “a
pillar of our Constitutional democracy” the President noted that
the judiciary is also faced with a lot of problems. Some of the
problems, he listed to include slow dispensation of justice,
quality and efficiency of the administration of justice with
regard to procedures and what he described as a much bigger
challenge “widespread perception of a growing crisis of
integrity within the judiciary”, as the CJN himself admitted at
a recent public function.
“This is something that should be carefully addressed”, the
President told the new CJN.“The reputation of judges, the public
perception of their commitment and integrity, is central to the
efficacy of the courts to uphold the law and dispense justice.
Judges are expected to be impartial, independent-minded and fair
to all concerned. A partisan judge compromises his or her oath
of office and acts unfairly. A corrupt judge disgraces the Bench
on which he or she sits and the title that he wears.
Judges should have power, and they do, but just as the Executive
and the Legislature must not abuse their powers, judges are also
expected to be above board”, said the President. “Your main task
therefore should be to further enhance the dignity of the
courts, for on that foundation rests the integrity of our
Constitutional Democracy.
Every one of us must wake up every morning, confident that the
judges of Nigeria will always protect our freedoms”, he
added.President Jonathan also tasked judges to cooperate with
the new CJN to make his tenure successful while he advised them
against in-fighting, personality clashes, and needless acrimony
which he said “can only serve the unwanted purpose of bringing
the entire institution to ridicule”.“Nigerian judges themselves
must see the need to set their institution on a path of renewal”
said Jonathan.
The President also indicated the readiness of the Executive Arms
of government to help in the reform while asking other Judges to
cooperate with the new CJN. He cited the two recent bills he has
signed into law as evidence of his commitment to the reforms of
the judicial system.He also said he will liaise with State
Governors on the full implementation of the section of the
Constitution that makes the judiciary self accounting and the
National Assembly on the reforms needed to restore confidence of
the Nigerian public in the judiciary.
“To this end, this administration will give full support to your
Lordship’s Reform Initiatives and necessary funding will be made
available.“My Lords, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I will
personally liaise with the National Assembly to support
constitutional amendments necessary to further ensure the
independence of the Judiciary and improve Judicial efficiency.
Efforts would also be made to liaise with the State Governors to
ensure that “state judiciaries are also adequately provided for
by giving full effect to the provision of S.121 (3) of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The President noted that the new CJN came into office with “a
very rich and impressive legal background which eminently
qualifies him for this appointment’.“It is my hope that your
Lordship will steer the ship of the Nigerian Judiciary to the
best of your ability at this moment when our dear nation and the
Judiciary especially, is faced with daunting challenges”, he
added. The new CJN was also decorated with the national honour
of Grand Commander of the Niger at the occasion.
The President also sworn in Architect Darius Ishiaku, a
ministerial nominee from Taraba State who was screened and
approved for appointment alongside the CJN last week as a
minister. The swearing in was attended by other Justices of the
Supreme Court, David Mark, the President of the Senate, Aminu
Tambuwal, the Speaker of House of Representatives, the Governor
of Edo and Jigawa States and members of the Federal Executive
Council.
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