TheCable

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Walter Onnoghen, whom he swore in as chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Tuesday, to restore confidence in the judiciary.

Osinbajo administered the oath of office on Onnoghen at a brief ceremony in the council chambers of the presidential villa, Abuja.

He also honoured him with the award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

Osinbajo said since individuals were not forced to become judges, they would be held to a much higher moral and ethical standard than others.

“The mere perception of judicial malfeasance poisons the waters of justice, let alone the reality, while delays in the administration of justice often defeat the ends of justice,” he said.

“My Lord, you assumed this position at a crucial time in the history of our nation.

“It is a time when the people of this nation have suffered loss of confidence in all arms of government. It is a time, when, my Lord and justices of our courts are called upon to resuscitate that confidence that the people of this nation want to have in the institutions of government and indeed in the judiciary.

“I pray that your tenure will revive and sustain that confidence.’’

Osinbajo expressed hope that Onnoghen would live up to the expectations of the office, and he prayed that God would guide him in steering the affairs of the nation’s third arm of government.

The acting president also conveyed the “personal warm wishes and congratulations’’ of President Muhammadu Buhari to the CJN.

Onnoghen promised to keep to the oath of the office and called on the three arms of government to explore areas of cooperation to move the country forward.

He said the key to progress and every positive achievement in any democratic setting was adherence to the rule of law.

“Here lies the solution to our problems to attain one fundamental principle and that is the independence of the judiciary,” he said.

“Let us strive to maintain the independence of the judiciary so as to ensure the rule of law.

“With the rule of law, when everybody realises that they are subject to the rule of law and that there are certain things that are taboos and are adhered to accordingly, it will be to the benefit of everyone of us.”

The CJN thanked the senate and Nigerians of all religions, who had kept the faith in the country and had prayed for its sustenance.

He, therefore, urged them not to relent in their prayers for the country and the judiciary.

Onnoghen also appealed for the cooperation of all to enable him to succeed.

In an interview, Senate President Bukola Saraki said he expected to see the independence of the judiciary with reforms in the system as well.

Saraki said with time on the side of the CJN and commitment to the pledge he made, he would perform creditably.

The senate president added that many former CJNs had short stay in office, but Onnoghen, who is expected to last up to four years, would have no excuse to not perform and reform the system.

“I am confident that he will deliver,’’ Saraki said.

He said the senate would cooperate with the judiciary to engender constitutional reviews that would assist the CJN in addressing issues in the justice system.