The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has told the 11 new Supreme Court justices that they represent God on earth and will give account of their stewardship to God one day.
Ariwoola stated this on Monday at the swearing-in of the newly appointed 11 Justices of the Supreme Court.
He also warned them to shun questionable acts capable of dragging the Apex Court in the mud.
He said their elevation to the Supreme Court bench is in recognition of their astuteness and evident passion for hard work, which is the hallmark of judicial excellence.
He said: “See yourselves as the representatives of God on earth because any judgement given at this level can only be upturned in heaven.”
Ariwoola urged them to put in their best as seasoned judicial officers transiting from the Court of Appeal and had established remarkable acquaintances with judicial oath and roles guiding the conduct of judicial officers.
He said: “Your moral uprightness, integrity and respect for the constitution and other extant laws in operation must be unwavering and unassailable.”
The justices are Justice Haruna Tsammani (North East), who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court; Justice Moore Adumein (South South); Justice Jummai Sankey (North Central); Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South East), and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South East).
Others are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South East), Justice Stephen Adah (North Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (North West), Justice Abubakar Umar (North West) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North Central).
NAN reports that on October 22, 2023, the number of Nigeria’s justices in the Supreme Court dropped to 10 instead of the required 21.
Within the space of three years, the number of judges on the court’s bench plummeted from 20 to 14 in June 2022, when then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, abruptly resigned.
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Since then, the number has come down to 10 as Musa Dattijo Muhammad, who joined the bench of the Supreme Court over a decade ago, retires on October 27.
NAN reports that on December 21, 2023, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the justices confirmation after they were cleared through a voice vote by the senators at the plenary.
With the confirmation, the Supreme Court has now reached its full complement of 21 justices as mandated by law.