By Ameh Ochojila, Abuja
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, has charged newly inaugurated president of Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Stanley Adekunle Lawal, to be diligent, fair and dispassionate in the discharge of his duties.
He stressed the need for public officers to accommodate scrutiny and criticisms, as well as discharge their duties according to provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The CJN charged Lawal on fairness in his dealings with subordinates. He said: “Your lordship, your position has automatically exposed you to public scrutiny, and there is nothing you can do about it. Anyone who doesn’t want the public to assess and comment on him, either positively or negatively, constructively or destructively, should not take up any public office.
“Today (yesterday), as it were, your lordship has voluntarily taken up a position that will attract relentless criticisms, condemnations, praises and vilifications. All you need to do is to gird your loins, do the right thing, align your conscience with what is right and follow the Constitution.”
“The times that we are in are quite perilous. So, we must put our utmost best in every task given to us with a view to moving our nation forward.”
Source: The Guardian