The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Tuesday in Abuja, administered the oath of office on Justice Abdul Kafarati as the substantive Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Administering the oath of office on Kafarati, the CJN charged him to adhere strictly to his oath of office and also to the 1999 Constitution.
“I don’t have to remind you of the oath you just took because this oath has been your life; so, I urge you to continue to be guided by this oath.
“If you go strictly by the constitution and the oath of office, you can never go wrong,” Onnoghen said.
The CJN enjoined the new federal high court chief judge to be bold and courageous in the discharge of his duties adding that he must remain firm and focused as well.
Onnoghen admonished Kafarati as well as other judicial officers not to run away from challenges but to always face them and do the right thing at the right time.
“The judiciary will protect you when you adhere to the rule of law, the oath of your office and the constitution.”
He assured that the judiciary would always strive to be an unbiased arbitar,between the two other arms of government and litigants in general.
He described the inauguration as historic noting that although it had taken a while, it was finally here.
The CJN expressed the confidence that the federal high court would have stability, peace and move forward under the watch of the new chief judge in the area of administration and dispensation of justice.
” I believe that the best witness anyone can have is time.Time is always there to be our witness for whatever we are doing.
“For this reason, you must continue to remain focused, and be guided by your oath of office.”
Onnoghen reiterated that it was the only way the judiciary would remain the hope of man, whether a common, an uncommon or a superman.
The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that Kafarati who was born in 1954 was appointed a judge of federal high court in October 1991
He succeeded Justice Ibrahim Auta who retired in April 2017 having attained 70 years.
Kafarati had been in acting capacity since April, 2017 .
He was sworn in as substantive chief judge following his nomination by the National Judicial Council, approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He was screened and confirmed by the Senate.
The inauguration was witnessed by the President of the Court of Appeal, serving and retired justices, and the Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State among other dignitaries.
