Thirty-Nine (39) additional judges have been sworn in by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), to staff the electoral petition tribunals currently operating around the federation.
According to Newsmen, the oath of office was administered to the newly appointed election petition tribunal justices on Thursday in Abuja.
Ariwoola said the appointed judges were determined to be worthy and deserving as additional members of tribunals that have been burdened with a “avalanche of petitions” in the wake of the 2023 general election during his remarks at the ceremony held at the Supreme Court.
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The CJN cautioned the new hires to act honorably and to uphold the integrity of the law as they carried out their judicial duties, emphasizing that the nation needs peace “at this crucial phase.”
Again, he admonished them not to allow sentiment and public opinion to betray their sense of judgment.
The CJN said, “You have just taken an oath that has not only imposed a course 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.
“No amount of homily can convey the enormity of this task. But suffice it to say that you are already initiating an interaction with history. Whatever action or inaction you exhibit today will serve as your testament In the annals of the Nigerian judiciary.
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“As judicial Officers, you may have, one way or the other, trodden this somewhat dreaded terrain, but you must, against all odds, rise above the murky waters of failure and infamy.
“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.
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“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.
“As you all know, the rule of law delayed is lasting peace denied because justice is a handmaiden of true peace.
“We need this in Nigeria more than ever before. The trumpet must first sound from the temple of justice; hence we put you forward as champions of this noble cause.”
He continued by saying that because of the oath they had taken, the judges now had the authority to decide on election disputes and act on their convictions, which he insisted had to be firmly based in the law and not on personal feelings or popular opinion.
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Ariwoola prayed to the All-Powerful God to give the new hires the bravery and discernment to carry out their duties without wavering or failing.
According to Newsmen, the CJN had previously sworn in 307 judges to hear petitions related to the general election of 2023.
The different tribunal members now hearing petitions arising from the conduct of the 2023 general elections now number 346 as a result of the inclusion of the 39 judges.
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