Ahead Of 2023 Elections: CJN Swears In 277 Members of Election Petition Tribunals
Princess-Ekwi Ajide ABS Abuja
277 members of different Election Petition Tribunals for the 2023 general elections have been sworn in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Ariwoola charged them to conduct their affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath that has been administered on them as he as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public distrust.
Performing the swearing in ceremony in Abuja, the CJN, told members of the tribunals that even though Judicial Officers are not known to possess some supernatural powers to perform wonders, the society still expects the impossible from them as members of Election Petition Tribunals, hence they should count themselves worthy to be entrusted with the humongous responsibility of deciding the fate of those that would be contesting elections into various political offices in the country in 2023
According to him, “I still sympathize with you for the many troubles, inconveniences, verbal assaults and all sorts of uncomplimentary remarks that will be made about you by various litigants in the course of your adjudication; especially if your conscience is not controlling your conduct”.
Justice Ariwoola, reminded them that trust is a burden and they must discharge it with utmost sincerity, honesty and transparency, because conscience is an open wound healed only by truth as such, they must rise and operate above every sentiment that might play out in the course of their adjudication in the various tribunals.
He further reminded them that all eyes are on them and their conducts will be publicly dissected and thoroughly scrutinized and should therefore, do what is right in their law books and have their names etched in gold whereas if they do what is at variance with their conscience, will get a scar that will terminally dent their ascension to higher heights in life.
The CJN, charged the members of election tribunals to surmount all temptations, tribulations, intimidations and blackmails that may be unleashed on them in the course of their duty as it will earn them accolades from God and from the courts of public opinion.