By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja.
With the inauguration of eight justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday, the bench of the apex court of the land is one Justice short of the full complement of 21.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad told the new Supreme Court Justices that they represent God on earth and will give account of their stewardship to Him in the end.
He warned the eight new Justices not to allow their personal ambition or any extraneous considerations to becloud their sense of judgment in the discharge of their judicial functions.
The CJN, who spoke after inaugurating the justices, further warned that their interactions with people of unenviable inclinations and pedigree must be halted forthwith if there is any.
The new Justices are Mohammed Garba Lawal, Heleen Morenikeji Ogunwumiju, Abdul Aboki, Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Samuel Oseji, Tijani Abubakar and Emmanuel Akomaye Agim.
At the Supreme Court level of adjudication, the CJN asked them to let their conscience guide and filter every thought that traverses their minds.
“I have no doubt that you may have at one time or the other, been confronted with some forms of criticisms or verbal assaults by litigants who have lost cases.
“I want to assure you that more of that will come your ways at the final court in the land where appellants’ expectations are often high and infectious.
“There is no way you can please human beings especially litigants and I am making it clear that the easiest way to fail in life is to try to please everybody.
“The only deity you can fear is the Almighty God. Once your judgment is in consonance with what God expects from you and is also in accordance with the constitution, you should consider yourself the happiest and freest person on earth “
The CJN reminded the new Justices that their elevation to Supreme Court is in recognition of their astuteness and evident passion for hard work and urged them to bring their experiences and dexterity to bear at the apex court.
Having taken their judicial oath and rules guiding the judicial officers, the CJN further charged them to be morally upright, be of integrity and respect the constitution and other extant laws in operations.