The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Monday inaugurated 11 new Supreme Court justices urging them to hold the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 199 as amended and other extant laws.
He also charged them to ensure that their moral uprightness and integrity are unwavering and unassailable.
The eleven new justices brings the number of Justices at the Supreme Court bench to a complementary 21 justices that has eluded it since 1999 when the current Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria was adopted.
Justice Ariwoola warned the justices shun questionable acts capable of dragging the Apex Court in the mud adding that they represent God on earth and will give account of their stewardship to God one day.
He said the elevation of the 11 justices to the supreme court bench was in recognition of their astuteness and evident passion for hard work, which is the hallmark of judicial excellence.
“See yourselves as the representatives of God on earth, because as any judgement given at this level can only be upturned in heaven”.
“You must not, therefore, allow your personal ambition or any extraneous considerations to becloud your sense of judgment.
CJN also warned them against “interactions with people of unenviable inclinations and pedigree, if any, must be halted forthwith. Let your conscience guide and filter every thought that traverses your mind from this moment.”
He said he has no doubt that the new justices may have, at one time or the other, been confronted with some forms of criticisms or verbal assaults by litigants who have lost their cases. “I want to assure you that more of such will come your way, especially as you now assume duties in the final Court of the land, where appellants’ expectations are often very high and infectious. “
CJN also reminded them that there is no way they can please human beings, especially litigants. “That is what it is! I am, however, making it abundantly clear to your Lordships, that 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. Aside that, every other thing you hear around you, is mere noise or baseless agitation, which will naturally pale into insignificance when the chips are down, he advised.
The CJN further charged the new Justices of apex court to put in their best as seasoned judicial officers transiting from the Court of Appeal and had established remarkable acquaintances with judicial oath and roles guiding the conduct of judicial officers.
The new justices are, Justice Haruna Tsammani (Northeast), who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North-central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South-east); and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-east).
Others are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North-Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (Northwest), Justice Abubakar Umar (Northwest) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North-Central).
Recalled that the number of justices on the Supreme Court’s bench had in the last three years reduced from 20 to 14 in June 2022 and further down ward to just ten justices on 27 October 2023.