Justice Tanko Muhammad, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has
urged the 250 appointed Chairmen and members of the Election Petition
Tribunals to be guided by the fear of God in the performance of their
duties.
The acting CJN, who replaced Justice Walter Onnoghen, gave the charge
on Saturday in Abuja during the oath taking and swearing in ceremony of
judicial officers appointed to oversee disputes arising from the
forthcoming general elections.
“I am delighted to address you all on this occasion of the
swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Chairmen and members of
Election Petition Tribunals for the 2019 General Elections that is
around the corner.
“As you lordships take the oath of office as chairmen and members of
the Election Petition Tribunals, let me remind you that this oath is a
solemn appeal to Almighty God.
“Therefore, it is God Almighty that you will be ultimately responsible to.
“Therefore, it is from this oath that your duties and
responsibilities as chairmen and members of the Election Petition
Tribunals in your various places of assignment spring forth and has a
binding effect.
“This is an ethical undertaking to justice as well as upholding the rule of law in our courts.
“As such, I implore you to discharge your onerous duty diligently and with the fear of God Almighty,’’ he said.
Muhammad also said: “the judiciary is in the trying time, you must
stand to protect and uphold the integrity of this arm of government’’.
“I therefore congratulate you on this appointment and I urge you to
see this assignment as a call to greater service to your nation.
“I encourage you to uphold and enhance the honour and standing of the
judiciary and I pray that the Almighty God will bestow upon you
strength, good health and wisdom in the performance of your duties’’,
Muhammad said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Sidi Bage was
one out of the remaining 15 justices of the Supreme Court that attended
the ceremony along with the acting CJN.