The Court of Appeal will breathe a sigh of relief as 18 new justices have been added to their number and sworn in on Monday.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammed, while administering the oath of office at the Supreme Court on Monday charged them to leave up to expectation on the bench.
The appointment of the 18 new justices of the Court of Appeal was met with controversy which led to a suit filed by Igbo socio-cultural group, the Incorporated Trustees of Alaigbo Development Foundation seeking nullification of the list of the 18 appointed judges of the Court of Appeal.
Justice Inyang Ekwo who presided over the matter held that the group lacks the locus to file a public interest suit, therefore, lacking in merit.
The swearing-in eventually came up on Monday as the Nigerian Supreme Court played host to people from all works of life.
At exactly 10 am, the justices took their oath one after the other.
The Chief Judge tasked the judges to be more sensitive in the course of their duty as several appeals are coming their way.
He further charged them to avoid irresistible temptations, as their integrity is of utmost importance .
In what seems like a joke , the CJN also urged the public to desist from filling frivolous appeals.
For the newly sworn-in judges fairness and justice will be their watch word.
Out of the 18 judges only, three were female among are Justice Olasunbo Goodluck and Justice Bukola Banjoko who sentenced Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame both former Governors of Plateau State and Governor of Taraba State respectively to prison for financial crimes.
