The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJM), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has said in deciding each case before Judges in the country, public opinion cannot override or supersede the constitution of the country.
Against this backdrop, the CJN has advised the judges to rely on the constitution and their conscience in deciding cases that would come before them.
He also reminded them that a new chapter had been opened in their lives, charging them to sever ties with anything that will smear their hands and bring them into disrepute in the course of a new assignment.
Ariwoola said this Wednesday in Abuja at the swearing-in ceremony for 23 new Judges of the Federal High Court.
Going by the oath of office taken by the new judges, the ranks of the Federal High Court justices has increased to 93, with seven judges short of its full complement of 100 judges.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, and other judges of the court as well as justices of the Court of Appeal, some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) – Yusuf Ali, Ahmed Raji, Abdul Mohammed and Afam Osigwe at the inauguration ceremony of the new judges.
At the ceremony, he said: “Vitriolic attacks are regularly heaped on the judiciary, but public opinion cannot override or supersede the constitution of the country which we apply in deciding each case.
“Your Lordships still owe your conscience and the generality of the Nigerian masses, particularly those who are looking up to you, the great responsibility of good moral rectitude and acceptable conduct to uphold and consolidate the trust reposed in you.”
