Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says lawyers who comment on matters that are under judicial consideration will be dealt with decisively.
Kekere-Ekun spoke on Wednesday when she appeared before the
senate for screening as CJN.
The 23rd CJN said those who engage in those acts would not
have anywhere to hide.
“Speaking on social media, condeming the judiciary,
commenting on cases that are sub judice will not have anywhere to hide, they
will be dealt with decisively,” she said after Senate President Godswill
Akpabio asked her a question.
Akpabio said some lawyers have a habit of speaking on cases
that are under judicial consideration on social media and television and asked
if there would be punishment for them.
The CJN said social media would not influence the decisions
of judges under her watch.
“We have taken an oath of office to do our jobs without fear
or favour and they won’t be influenced by social media,” she said.
“However, it is true
that there is a lot that goes on in social media and other fora and it portrays
the judiciary in bad light.”
The CJN said she would ensure the independence and integrity
of the court by enforcing the code of conduct of judicial officers and ensuring
they have good welfare.
“One thing I am known for is integrity and I am known for
discipline. To ensure independence of the judiciary, I will ensure that the
code of conduct [for judicial officers] is enforced,” she said.
“For the NJC, we are going to ensure that petitions are
going to be dealt with speedily. Also for upholding the integrity of the
judiciary, it is to insulate it from external influence.
“We are grateful to
President Bola Tinubu for increasing the salaries of judicial officers, but there
is still a way to go. I will ensure that they [judicial officers] have better
welfare.”
She added that there should be a limit to the type of cases
that get to the supreme court because “it is a policy court”, adding that this
would help reduce the backlog of cases the apex court has to decide.
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Madam Chief Judge, Nigerians will prefer you do the work and leave the talk. It is rather unfortunate that both those who appointed and screening you are dirty when kit comes to upholding justice in Nigeria. For example, the senate president did not compete for senatorial election but he is the senate president today.Ahmed Lawan did not participate in the election that brought him to the senate but he is there today. I just wonder how the people who are screening you will be such dirty to expect that you are going to be clean. History is about to be made in your leadership. For me I am not expecting much because i see you dancing already.
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