Onnoghen inaugurates new Federal High Court judges

• Charges them on integrity, fairness
Newly inaugurated judges of the Federal High Court have been charged on integrity and fairness as necessities for a robust judicial system in the country.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, gave the admonition yesterday while inaugurating nine judges who had been elevated to the Federal High Court in a ceremony that held at the Supreme Court premises.

The judges include Peter O. Lifu, Sunday Bassey Onu, Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu and Sa’adatu Ibrahim Mark.

Others are Mobolaji Olubukola Olajuwon, Aminu Bappa Aliyu, Tijjani Garba Ringim and Nkeonye Evelyn Maha.

Justice Onnoghen also stressed the need for judges to always abide by the constitution, oath of office and code of conduct for judicial officers in their duties.

He advised them to look beyond temporary advantages and work hard to make their marks on the bench, saying: “With your inauguration today, you are now judges to dispense justice to all manner of mankind. In doing so, I urge you to let integrity be your watchword.

“Be bold and fearless when you are applying law with facts and judicial precedence. Let nothing influence your decision on the bench. Pick your models from the retired and serving judges, pick the best style of writing judgments and improve on it for expeditious dispensation of justice.”

No fewer than 12 judges were last week elevated to Justices of the Court of Appeal, whom Onnoghen also admonished to avoid being used as instruments for personal and intra-party squabbles during the election period.

“Politics is here and election matters will arise. As judges, things should be done to bring down the tension. We have to be careful so as not to be used as instruments for personal and intraparty squabbles.

“We should decide all political matters according to the law because the judiciary remains the last hope of all men,” he stated.

Those approved for the Court of Appeal include Patricia Abuma Mahmud, Folasade Ayodeji Ojo, Ibrahim Ali Andenyangsto, Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, Bariki Bello Aliyu and James Gambo Abundaga.

Others are Ebiowei Tobi, Abubakar Sadiq Umar, Abubakar Mahmud Talba, Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero, Ababakar Mu’azu Lamido and Mohammed Baba Idris.

Meanwhile, Onnoghen will inaugurate the remaining judges who were appointed to the Federal Capital Territory High Court today.