On Thursday, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, swore in 39 additional judges to hear the cases resulting from the country’s general elections on February 15 and March 18.
The 39 judges join the 307 judicial officers who had already been given the assignment, making a total of 346.
During the event at the Supreme Court, the CJN emphasized the significance of the assignment and pleaded with the participants to resist temptations and extortion.
The CJN stated that the judges were deemed qualified to be added to tribunals that had been burdened by an “avalanche of petitions” in the wake of the 2023 national elections.
The CJN pointed out that the nation required peace “at this crucial phase” when administering the oath to the newly constituted election petition tribunal justices. He cautioned them not to let sentiment and popular opinion compromise their sense of judgment.
Judges need to keep in mind that “the rule of law delayed is lasting peace denied because justice is a handmaiden of true peace,” the CJN continued.
The judges of the panel should have “the courage and wisdom to carry out this responsibility without faltering or failing,” Justice Ariwoola said.
In his words;
“You have just taken an oath that has not only imposed a cause of upright moral undertaking on you but equally looped you with destiny.
“This is an enormous national assignment that will literally put the contents of your conscience to the test.
“The onus is on you to keep aloft the banner of honesty and integrity that the judiciary has painstakingly hoisted over the years. Your appointment to serve in these tribunals is well conceived, thus, you should do everything within your ability to justify this confidence.
“There is no doubt that you will be exposed to different forms of temptations and even blackmails but you should know that all are aimed at testing your strength of character, honesty and integrity.
“My candid advice is that, in whatever circumstance, you should always be mindful of this oath you have just taken
because it now stands as an uncompromising witness between you and your creator.
“It behoves you to willingly submit yourselves to the sanctity of the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution in the discharge of your judicial functions. It is the general belief that elections held when the rule of law is too fragile, seldom lead to lasting democratic governance.
“You are enjoined to always strike a balance between justice and the rule of law as you embark on this critical national assignment.”
