The chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Muhammad, has sworn in 18 newly-appointed judges of the appeal court.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the main court of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja, on Monday.
The appeal court judges that were sworn in are Mohammed Danjuma (Niger State), Muhammad Ibrahim Sirajo (Plateau), Abdul-Azeez Waziri (Adamawa), Yusuf A. Bashir (Taraba), Usman A. Musale (Yobe), Ibrahim Wakili Jauro (Yobe), Abba Bello Mohammed (Kano State), Bature Isah Gafai (Katsina), and Danlami Zama Senchi (Kebbi).
Others are Mohammed Lawal Abubakar (Sokoto), Hassan Muslim Sule (Zamfara), Hassan Muslim Sule (Zamfara), Kenneth Ikechukwu Amadi (Imo), Peter Oyinkenimiemi Affen (Bayelsa), Sybil Onyeji Gbagi (Delta), Olasunbo Goodluck (Lagos), Adebukola Banjoko (Ogun), Olabode Adegbehingbe (Ondo), and Bola Samuel Ademola (Ondo).
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President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the appointment of 18 new justices following a recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Muhammad had fixed Thursday, April 29, to swear in the justices.
However, the inauguration ceremony was postponed indefinitely owing to the JUSUN strike at the time.
Ahuraka Isah, senior special assistant on media to the CJN, had also said another reason for the postponement was to enable the new judges “clear their desks in their various offices”, to ensure that there are no outstanding issues before they assume their new responsibilities.
The Incorporated Trustees of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) had filed a suit seeking to quash the appointment of the judges.
The group alleged the south-east region was marginalised in the selection process.
But in a judgment on Friday, Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit and held that the plaintiff lacked the legal right to institute the case.
Giving his speech after the swearing-in, the CJN congratulated the new judges and asked them not to compromise in their new status so that they can be counted among the best in Nigeria.
“Your reputation and integrity matter much. All eyes are on you. Anything you do in secret will come out,” he said.
“Court of appeal is not a playground, you will work and work. Be in consultation with others that are there for consultation.”
