The eleven freshly appointed justices of the Supreme Court have been instructed by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), to base their rulings on the laws now in effect.
Judge Ariwoola issued a warning, stating that they should anticipate verbal abuse and criticism from the losing parties in cases they decide.
On Monday, February 26, the CJN delivered a speech in Abuja while also giving the new Justices their oath of office.
He said; “Your moral uprightness, integrity and respect for the Constitution and other extant laws in operation, must be unwavering and unassailable.
“At this level of adjudication, Your Lordships should begin to see yourselves as the representatives of the Almighty God on earth, because any judgment 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.
“Your interactions with people of unenviable inclinations and pedigree, if any, must be halted forthwith.
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“Let your conscience guide and filter every thought that traverses your mind from this moment.
“I have no doubt that you may have, at one time or the other, been confronted with some form of criticism 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.
“There is no way you can please human beings, especially litigants. That is what it is! | 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 from 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.
“Your elevation to the Supreme Court bench is obviously in recognition of your astuteness and evident passion for hard work, which is the hallmark of judicial excellence.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli