The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has cautioned judges against accepting gifts from corrupt people, especially politicians and businessmen.
According to the CJN, judges come across juicy gifts in the course of handling high-profile cases, such as those involving mouth-watering financial aid business transactions.
The CJN gave the charge at the Supreme Court Complex during the inauguration of six-newly appointed judges of the National Industrial Court.
He said, “I am making it clear to you now that you must flee from such disguised danger.”
The six new judges are Justices Subilim Danjuma, Mohammad Hamza, Damachi-Onugba Agede, Hassan Yakubu, Buhari Sami and Sanda Yelwa.
Continuing with the charge, the CJN said to the judges: “You must, against all odds, conduct your affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath that has just been administered on you.
“If you were hitherto 50 per cent under public scrutiny, I can confidently tell you now that it has automatically risen to 100 per cent by virtue of this your appointment.
“It absolutely takes nothing to join the crowd but it takes quite a lot to stand alone with good conscience.”
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
