•Justice Mukhtar...yesterday
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged the judiciary to join the fight against corruption and terrorism.He also called for a speedy judicial process because “justice delayed is justice denied”.
Dr. Jonathan spoke at the swearing in of Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, the 13th Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Justice Mukhtar, who was cleared by the Senate last week, is also Nigeria’s first woman CJN.
She took over from Justice Dahiru Musdapher on Friday.
The President said: “Your lordship will preside over the judiciary at a time of profound changes that demand united response. We believe that judiciary can play a crucial role as we confront critical challenges.
“We are dealing with security challenges occasioned by sporadic act of terrorism in some parts of the country. The three arms of government must work cooperatively to overcome this terrorist threat and act in the country.
“The war against corruption is another endeavour that calls for concerted action by all arms of government. I am confident that the judiciary under your able leadership will rise up to the challenge and provide the most needed support for government to address these challenges. Our citizens complained of delayed trial particularly in cases of corruption, terrorism and other matters of serious concern.
“These complaints have led to frequent calls for special courts or designation of special judges to handle them with the required experience and speed. It will be your prerogative to consider and decide on this call. But I am sure that the entire country is in agreement that justice delayed is justice denied. I believe that an independent judiciary remains the final hope of our citizen. The independence of our judiciary is critical to our development and survival. Every bold and positive step you take in our march to nationhood is important.
“Your lordship should apply the instrument of your hallowed office to ensure timely justice delivery to make manifestly claim that substantive justice will never be sacrificed on the altar of procedural technicality. Impunity must have no place in progressive Nigeria.”
The President also assured the CJN of the government’s cooperation in the discharge of her duties.
He praised the immediate past CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher for his effort within the short period he stayed in office.
Jonathan said: “I will like to place on record our immense gratitude to the immediate past CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher. Despite his short tenure, he made spirited efforts to restore public confidence in our courts. We wish Justice Musdapher a well deserved retirement and hoe that he will avail his wealth of experience in the continued service of our nation, especially as he is now a member of Council of State.”
Describing Justice Mukhtar as a woman of destiny, he said she owes her rise to her brilliance, resilience and hard work.
The President said: “Today, we are witness to history with the swearing in of Justice Aloma Murkta as the first female CJN. I join millions of our country men, female and youths in congratulating the Nigerian judiciary and your lordship as we record this important milestone in the annals of our nation’s judicial history. Although this administration has remained focused in projecting women, the learned CJN achieved this outstanding feat on account of her brilliance, resilience and hard work.
“Our administration will continue to accord excellence and give it its deserved place in the service of our nation. Ladies and gentlemen, there is the hand of destiny in the life of this distinguished jurist. From the records, her lordship has always been a trailblazer in her judicial journey. She was the first female lawyer of northern extraction, the first female High Court Judge from the North, first female second in-command, Kano State judiciary, the first Nigerian female jurist to be elevated to the Court of Appeal where she served for over 17 years at the appellate court.”
“The honourable CJN now joins an eminent and exclusive list of achievers recognised throughout the world as beacon of hope in this century. She will after leaving office become a member of our nation’s highest advisory council, the Council of State. Here again, she will make history as the first female permanent member of that council.”
Justice Mukhtar was conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Nigeria (GCON) award.
Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, Governors Rabiu Kwankwanso (Kano) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) were among the dignitaries at the ceremony.
Speaking to State House reporters at the end of the ceremony, Justice Mukhtar re-iterated her stand during her screening at the Senate that there was no need for a special court to try corruption cases.
She said: “I think I talked about that at the Senate that there is no need for a special court. A judge, two or three in the states, can be designated to take care of that. I will again go back to what I said in the Senate - that I will lead by example and I will hope and pray that the others will follow.”
On security challenges, Justice Mukhtar said: “I did say during my screening in the Senate that we will partner with the authority to ensure that we curb this menace.”
On delayed trials, she said: “That one is not the fault of the judges alone. We have counsel to contend with, bringing various applications. We have the Constitution also to contend with. Witnesses will not be available and there is a whole litany of reasons for this delay.”
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