Posted by By Tobi Soniyi, Abuja on
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Salisu Alfa Belgore, on Tuesday warned judges to shun corruption as anyone found guilty would be sacked.....
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Salisu Alfa Belgore, on Tuesday warned judges to shun corruption as anyone found guilty would be sacked.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Salisu Alfa Belgore
Belgore said this at the swearing-in ceremony of the two newly-appointed justices of the Court of Appeal, Justice Uwa Chidiebere Nwaoma from Abia State and Justice Ignatius Agube from Cross River State.
He reminded judges that some of their colleagues lost their job after the 2003 general elections because they were indicted for corruption..
He said as the nation was getting ready for the 2007 elections, any corrupt judge would be booted out.
Belgore told the newly-appointed justices to always remember their oath of office while discharging their duties.
He said, "As we approach the 2007 elections, you should always remember your oath of office. Any judge who forgets his oath of office would be shown the way out.
"In 2003, after the elections, some corrupt justices were sacked. Some may also go with the 2007 elections."
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has promised not to relent in its effort at promoting the rule of law.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), said this in Abuja at the inaugural seminar of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice.
He added that government would continue to lead the way in strengthening the rule of law.
He, however, asked lawyers to support government‘s quest to entrench the rule of law.
He said, 'Every time a practitioner uses his office to undermine the due administration of justice, he sends a wrong signal.
"When all such signals are aggregated, they produce a wave of widespread disrespect for law and order."