President
Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday swore in Mahmud Mohammed as the new Chief Justice
of Nigeria (CJN). Earlier on Tuesday, the senate confirmed his nomination.
TheCable reports Mohammed,
the 14th indigenous CJN, replaced Aloma Muktar who retired from the bench on
Wednesday after attaining the statutory age of 70.
In
accordance with tradition, the new CJN was conferred with the second-highest
national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON).
The
president said that the new chief justice was being sworn in at a critical
period when the nation was implementing critical reforms, especially in the
judiciary, towards improving on its governance and service delivery.
“It
is particularly gratifying to know that he (CJN) has been a critical part of
these reforms from the onset; of course, we heard that from his citation.
Therefore, he is at a vantage position to superintend over the processes,”
Jonathan said.
“I
have no doubt that his tenure will witness even greater zeal in reforming and
re-positioning the judiciary for the effective and efficient discharge of its
constitutional mandate.”
He also
noted with satisfaction that Aloma Mukhtar, the outgoing chief justice, made a
solemn promise to the nation on assumption of office, to carry out necessary
reforms in the judiciary in order to restore public confidence in our courts.
He
said he was convinced that she had acquitted herself creditably well in the
discharge of that responsibility.
“As
Hon. Justice Mohammed braces up to continue from where she left off, he can be
assured of our administration’s unwavering support and cooperation,” the president
added.
In
his response, Mohammed thanked the president, the National Judicial Council and
the senate for their roles in his appointment, confirmation and swearing-in.
He promised to build on the foundation laid by
his predecessors in office, especially the ongoing review of the rules and
guidelines for the institution of disciplinary actions against erring judicial
officers.
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