The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Friday, swore-in 19 new Judges of the National Industrial Court, NIC, saying they should “take hard decisions” for the sake of the country.
Justice Onnoghen According to the CJN, “heavens will not fall”, should the new Judges, in strict adherence to their oath of office, decide cases brought before them in accordance with the rule of law.
He stressed that the Judiciary could only checkmate impunity in the country by adhering to the law.
He said, “When you need to take hard decision, take it, heavens will not fall. Heaven has never fallen off anybody’s judgment.
“We can only checkmate impunity by adherence to the law.”
Justice Onnoghen implored the new judges to be guided by oath of allegiance they swore to the Nigerian Constitution and their Office.
“I want to advise judicial officers particularly those of you that just sworn in to always be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the laws and your conscience.
“I assure you that as judicial officers, if you remain true to the oaths of your office, you have no problem; anything you need to function in that office is contained in the oath of office.
“If you allow yourself to be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the law, and your conscience, you can never go wrong.
“Two persons you cannot deceive – yourself and your God.”
The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, appointed the new NIC Judges, following recommendation from the National Judicial Council, NJC.
Those that were sworn-in yesterday as Judges were Targema John Iorngee (Benue), Namtari Mahmood Abba (Adamawa), Nweneka Gerald Ikechi (Rivers), Kado Sanusi (Katsina), Adeniyi Sinmisola Oluyinka (Ogun), Abiola Adunola Adewemimo (Osun) Opeloye Ogunbowale (Lagos), Essien Isaac Jeremiah (Akwa-Ibom) and Elizabeth Ama Oji (Ebonyi) .
Others were, Arowosegbe Olukayode Ojo (Ondo), Ogbuanya Nelson S. Chukwudi (Enugu), Bashir Zaynab Mohammed (Niger), Galadima Ibrahim Suleiman (Nasarawa), Bassi Paul Ahmed (Borno), Danjidda Salisu Hamisu (Kano), Hamman Idi Polycarp (Taraba), Damulak Kiyersohot Dashe (Plateau), Alkali Bashar Attahiru (Sokoto), and Mustapha Tijjani (Jigawa).
Their elevation brought the total number of Judges in the NIC which has the mandate of resolving industrial/workplace disputes, from 20 to 39.
VANGUARD
