By our reporter| Nigeria’s chief justice, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad on Monday ordered Olasunbo Goodluck, one of the newly-appointed appeal court judges, who concluded her oath-taking by saying “so help me Allah” instead of the official, “so help me God” to repeat the procedure.
As Goodluck walked away from the microphone, the CJN ordered her to return and say “so help me God”.
She immediately returned to the microphone and did as she was ordered, drawing a round of laughter from those at the ceremony.
The new appeal court judges were sworn in at the main court of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja.
Addressing the newly-sworn judges, Justice Tanko asked the judges to conduct their affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath of office administered on them.
He reminded them that all eyes were on them and that they should avoid temptations, as their integrity was key.
According to the CJN, there is nothing that is done in secret that will not see the light of day.
He said the judges must give good conduct of themselves, be fair and just, to justify their elevation to the position of Court of Appeal judges
“Many high profile cases will definitely come to you on appeal,” he said.
“They may likely come in company of some juicy, irresistible temptations, but I am making it bold and clear that you must flee from such disguised danger.
“Your reputation and integrity must match and count enormously in your rise to honour and fame in life.
“Keep your head above the murky waters of corruption, so that you can conveniently be counted among the very best in the Nigerian judiciary.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the appointment of 18 new justices following a recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The appeal court judges that were sworn in are Mohammed Danjuma (Niger State), Muhammad Ibrahim Sirajo (Plateau), Abdul-Azeez Waziri (Adamawa), Yusuf A. Bashir (Taraba), Usman A. Musale (Yobe), Ibrahim Wakili Jauro (Yobe), Abba Bello Mohammed (Kano State), Bature Isah Gafai (Katsina), and Danlami Zama Senchi (Kebbi).
Others are Mohammed Lawal Abubakar (Sokoto), Hassan Muslim Sule (Zamfara), Kenneth Ikechukwu Amadi (Imo), Peter Oyinkenimiemi Affen (Bayelsa), Sybil Onyeji Gbagi (Delta), Olasunbo Goodluck (Lagos), Adebukola Banjoko (Ogun), Olabode Adegbehingbe (Ondo), and Bola Samuel Ademola (Ondo).
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