By Ebere Agozie
Justice Njideka Odili-Iheme, daughter of Justice Mary Odili, and 21 other judges were Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, sworn in as federal high court judges by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammad.
The CJN, while performing the swearing ceremony, urged the 22 new judges of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court to be of good conduct.
Muhammad also urged them to refrain from anything that could smear their names or bring them into disrepute.
“The bench is neither for the prosaic, the greedy nor those with questionable characters who can easily fall for a plate of porridge offered by desperate litigants.
“You have to rise above temptations and trials that might obstruct or even halt your rise to the pinnacle of your
career.
“You have entered a lifetime covenant with God and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So whatever you do right will be counted and accordingly recorded in your favour,” he said.
The chief justice warned them that appointment to the bench was not an appointment to wealth, vain glory, dishonest disposition or ostentatious lifestyle through corrupt acquaintances.
“The searchlight of the National Judicial Council (NJC) beams on all judicial officers across the country.
“Our radar is sophisticated enough to detect every form of corruption and wrong doings.
“The remoteness of your location of adjudication can never blur our sight on you.
“NJC has powerful lens to capture and document your conducts. So be careful in your conducts to avoid regretting being appointed as judicial officers,” he said.
Muhammad said the letters and words of the oath they took must reside in a prime place of their hearts and be applied generously in their adjudications.
He also urged the new judicial officers to be impartial, fair to all and apply justice and equity in all their undertakings.
According to the chief justice, what the country needs now are calculating, honest, objective, dispassionate and humble judicial officers.
Justice Njideka is married to Uzoma Nwosu Iheme, the son of Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Chioma Nwosu Iheme.
