The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Monday, administered oath on the newly appointed 11 Justices of the Supreme Court, even as he implored them to remain upright and impartial at all times.
According to the CJN, the new jurists, having been elevated to the apex court bench, should begin to see themselves as representatives of God on earth as their judgement can only be upturned in heaven.
He, however, warned them to brace up to receive verbal assaults from dissatisfied litigants.
He said: “You must not, therefore, allow your ambition or any extraneous considerations to becloud your sense of judgement.
“Your interactions with people of unenviable inclinations and pedigree, if any, must be halted forthwith.
“Let your conscience guide and filter every thought that traverses your mind from this moment.
“I do not 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 their cases.
“I want to assure you that more of such will come your way, especially as you now assume duties in the final court of the land where Appellants’ expectations are often very high and infectious.
“There is no way you can please human beings, especially litigants. That is what it is!
“I am, however, making it abundantly clear to your Lordships that the easiest way to fail in life is by trying to please everyone.
“The only deity you can fear is the Almighty God. Once your judgement aligns with what God expects from you and is also by the Constitution, you should consider yourself the happiest and freest person on earth.
“Aside from that, every other thing you hear around you is mere noise or baseless agitation, which will naturally pale into insignificance when the chips are down.”
He noted that with the appointment of the new jurists, the Supreme Court has attained its full complement of 21 justices.
“This is, indeed, an epoch-making ceremony. I am very much exhilarated to not only witness but also be privileged to administer the oath on these 11 eminent Supreme Court Justices.
“It is a memory I will cherish all my life because it is unprecedented in the annals of the Nigerian Supreme Court,” the CJN added.
