Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Monday, urged judges to shun corruption in order to align themselves with the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration’s anti-graft stride.
Onnnoghen, who spoke in Abuja, also urged them to ensure an independent, strong, respectable and responsible judiciary by adhering to their oath of office as contained in the Constitution and Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“Let me also seize this opportunity to remind us as ministers in the temple of justice, we must shun all corrupt practices in order to align ourselves with the anti-corruption strides of the current administration,” he said.
He spoke at the 2016 Conference of All Nigerian Judges of the Lower Courts, held at the National Judicial Council, Abuja.
The event was with the theme, ‘The lower court’s as veritable instruments for justice and peace in a democratic society’.
The event was the first official outing of Justice Onnoghen since November 10 when he was sworn in by President Buhari as Acting CJN to take over from the immediate past CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed (retd.).
Speaking at the NJI’s event on Monday, Justice Onnoghen, who doubles as the Chairman of NJI, described judges as guardians of the rule of law.
He urged judges to adhere strictly to their oath of office and dispense justice promptly and without fear, favour or ill-will.
(Punch)
