The newly sworn-in Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed performed his first official assignment when he swore-in Chairmen and members of the election petition tribunals for the 2019 general elections.
Out of the 17 Justices of the Supreme Court, only Justice Sidi Bage was in attendance when the acting CJN, was swearing in the 250 members who would sit on the 2019 Election Panels inside the Chambers of the Supreme Court Headquarters in Abuja.
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No reason was however given for the absence of the other justices of the apex court at the ceremony.
The Panels comprise National Assembly Election Petition Tribunals, Governorship Election Petition Tribunals, and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunals.
Justice Mohammed charged members of the tribunals to abide by the oath of office they took, saying that:
“I am delighted to address you all on this occasion of the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Chairmen and members of Election Petition Tribunals for the 2019 General Elections that is around the corner.
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“Therefore, it is God Almighty that you will be ultimately responsible to.
“Therefore, it is from this oath that your duties and responsibilities as chairmen and members of the Election Petition Tribunals in your various places of assignment spring forth and has a binding effect.
“This is an ethical undertaking to justice as well as upholding the rule of law in our courts.
“As such, I implore you to discharge your onerous duty diligently and with the fear of God Almighty,’’ he said.
Muhammad also said:
“the judiciary is in the trying time, you must stand to protect and uphold the integrity of this arm of government’’.
“I, therefore, congratulate you on this appointment and I urge you to see this assignment as a call to greater service to your nation.
“I encourage you to uphold and enhance the honour and standing of the judiciary and I pray that the Almighty God will bestow upon you strength, good health and wisdom in the performance of your duties’’, Muhammad said.
“The oath is a solemn appeal to the Almighty God.
“Therefore, it is from this oath that your duties and responsibilities as chairmen and members of the election petition tribunals in your various places of assignment spring forth and has a binding effect,†the acting CJN stated.
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He urged them to consider their appointment to serve on the election petition tribunals as a call to greater service to the nation.
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