By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
A constitutional lawyer and the Principal Partner, Chinenye Chambers, Abuja the Feseral Capital Territory (FCT), Amobi Nzelu Esq has charged the newly sworn -in Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun to use her new office and legal knowledge in the bench to ensure that she leaves no stone unturned, until she returns Nigeria’s judiciary to its lost glory,
Justice Kekere-Ekun recently scaled screening by the senate and was sworn – in as Nigeria’s CJN.
Nzelu addressed journalists recently in his chambers in the nation’s capital.
While charging the new CJN to that effect, he said: “We all came into this profession, almost the same time, because I was called in 1980 and she, in 1981. The system that was straightforward, honest and focused, has now degenerated to the level that they understand the case and applied the principles that are relevant to the case, thereby doing justice through the law, not the law through justice. But the situation isn’t the same now.
“She is inheriting a judiciary that must at any cost be sanitized and I know that she has the capacity and the will power to do that. My lord, no matter whose ox is gored, don’t stop in the quest in giving Nigerians a befitting judiciary that will stand the taste of time. This digital judgements front the court of coordinate jurisdiction has made the judiciary a laughing stock.”
He continued: “Appointment into the bench shouldn’t be cash and carry, who know who, or an exclusive preserve of those whose parents are in the judiciary or high places. Those that are appointed into the bench must be tested and proven to possess the requisite knowledge, proper grasp of the law and fearless
“A compromised judiciary is the greatest bane of any nation. Their role which is clearly defined in the constitution is to serve as the last hope for an ordinary man. I happened to appear before her at Lagos High Court, during Major Mustapha, Abacha, Bamaiyi and Shofolaho, among others, and I have no doubt in my mind that she has a proper grasp and understanding of law.
“We pray to God that this her appointment will mark a departure from the digital judgements we are seeing today from the court of coordinate jurisdiction.
