The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Tanko Mohammed, Monday, warned that judicial officers in the country, especially the new Magistrates, “must live above board, shun corruption, and avoid corrupt practices and misconduct” in the discharge of their duties.
Mohammed issued the warning at the opening ceremony of an orientation course for newly appointed Magistrates, held at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in Abuja.
“By your appointment to the magistracy, you are expected, like any other judicial officer to show diligence, industry and transparency in the discharge of your duties.
“The image of the judiciary is determined by what we as judicial officers to in the performance of our duties.
“As individuals in the dispensation of justice, we must continue to build the ordinary man’s positive perception of the judiciary, by our conduct within and outside the court’s premises,” he stated.
The acting CJN described the Magistrate Court as the entry point to the judiciary, saying it was created by statute to ensure summary and transparent administration of Justice.
“It goes without saying that a huge burden lies on the shoulder of the Magistrate who must reflect image of our judiciary. In order to succeed in projecting a true image of Justice, you as judicial officers will have to exhibit unwavering commitment and strict adherence to the cannons of judicial ethics and standards of judicial conduct on and off the bench.
“Your worships, given my background as a Magistrate, certainly, I can understand the challenges which you face in the discharge of your duties; but let me assure you that the judiciary under my watch will tackle these challenges head on.
“That notwithstanding, you must be seen to perform your judicial duties skilfully and expeditiously without bias or prejudice and must always remember that Justice delayed is Justice denied.
“A slothful judicial officer is a clog in the wheel of justice; he cannot be productive and is unfit for the bench.
“I am sure as newly appointed magistrates, you will not constitute a burden to the bench but rather an enviable addition to the temple of Justice.
“I cannot overemphasize the need for discipline in the judiciary. We must not forget our noble duty as Ministers in the Temple of Justice to uphold the Rule of Law impartially and without fear. In order to establish and sustain public confidence in the judicial process”, the CJN added.
He said it was the only way the judiciary could continue to establish and sustain public confidence in the judicial process.
He, therefore, implored judges across the federation not to forget their duty as ministers in the temple of justice, saying they should uphold the rule of law impartially and without fear.
In her welcome address, Justice R. P. I. Bozimo, the Administrator of the NJI, said the theme of the course, ‘Promoting Judicial Excellence in the Magistrate Courts’ was apt as it captures the need to infuse an attitude judicial excellence in the new magistrates from the onset.
