ABUJA – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN,
Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Tuesday, assured
that under his leadership, the judiciary would not
subscribe to any plot to change the outcome of
elections through the instrumentality of the
court.
The CJN who stated this while swearing-in
Justice Ishaq Bello as the new Chief Judge, CJ,
for the Federal Capital Territory, said he was
aware that “some unpatriotic citizens may wish
to use the courts to stop the electoral process”.
He said: “Permit me to use this opportunity to
again assure all Nigerians that, under my
leadership, the Judiciary remains resolute and
committed to do its constitutional duty during
this election period.
Justice Mahmud Mohammed
“We will not be swayed or distracted from the
course of justice in any election matter that is
before or comes before the justice system.
“It bears reminding to all heads of courts that
you are primarily responsible for the preservation
of our nation’s democracy. I strongly advise all
judicial officers not to allow any party or
politician to use the courts to truncate our
nation’s democracy.
“We are aware that some unpatriotic citizens
may wish to use the courts to stop the electoral
process and I wish to warn in clear terms that we
shall not be used as a tool for the breakdown of
law and order in our beloved country”, the CJN
added.
Meantime, the CJN, while congratulating the new
CJ for the FCT High Court, Justice Bello, used
the occasion to lament on the rising number of
corruption cases in the country.
According to the CJN, “As your Lordship takes
the oath of office and the oath of allegiance, it
bears reminding that this oath is not to a man
only but is: “ A solemn appeal to God”.
“It is therefore to God that you will be ultimately
responsible. It is from this oath that your duties
and responsibilities spring forth and has a
binding effect. It is an ethical undertaking to do
Justice as well as uphold the Rule of Law in our
Courts.
“As such, my Lord, yours is an especially
onerous position, but one which I believe that
you are eminently qualified and capable of
excelling in.
“My Lord, as you are aware, your immediate
predecessor is the first Chief Judge of the FCT to
retire and benefit from a valedictory session. I
urge you as the incoming Chief Judge to see this
as a challenge and aim to serve and retire with
honour.
“To re-iterate, yours is a position of utmost
responsibility. This means that in all that you are
going to do, you are liable to be called upon to
account. Full responsibility is an enormous
challenge to take on, and it can feel
overwhelming. However, I am confident in your
ability and desire to excel.
“It is important to emphasize that in leadership,
certain indispensible qualities must stand out.
Your lordship must be thoughtful, considerate
and temperate in judgment. You must be aware
that you are now in the dock, as it were.
“As a leader, you are responsible for everything
that happens in your Court, and you may, quite
rightly, be held accountable for everything that
happens, good or bad. I therefore urge you to be
thorough and diligent in the administration of the
courts, knowing full well that praise or
condemnation is largely determined by your
conduct.
“I note with particular concern the number of
corruption cases that are pending before the FCT
High Courts and the number that have been
returned by the Supreme Court to the trial courts.
It bears reminding that posterity does not wear a
human face in its judgment.
“I counsel you to ensure that your work remains
like sterling silver that becomes more valuable
with age. I therefore urge you to be proactive in
seeking out ways to improve justice delivery
especially as pertains to the case disposal rate
in the FCT High Court of Justice”.
Justice Bello is taking over from the former CJ of
the FCT high court, Justice I.M. Bukar, who
bowed out of active judicial service yesterday
having clocked the 60 years
mandatory retirement age.
Earlier, a valedictory session was held in honour
of the retiring CJ, Justice Bukar by the FCT high
court.

so theyve been involved abi?