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Times Are Perilous, Only Constitution, Not Public Opinions Would Be Used To Deliver Court Judgements – CJN
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has said that public opinion cannot be used to deliver court judgements.
According to him, all judgements of the court must be based on the constitution and not public opinion.
Justice Ariwoola made the submission on Wednesday at the Supreme Court complex after swearing in 23 newly-appointed judges of the Federal High Court.
He told the judges that they must not be swayed by public opinions no matter how strong as such opinions can’t supersede the provisions of the country’s constitution in the determination of legal disputes in court.
In his words, “Several vitriolic attacks are regularly heaped on the judiciary; it is, however, crystal clear that public opinions, no matter how serious or weighty it might be, cannot override or supersede the constitution of the country which we apply in deciding each case.”
The CJN further warned the new judges to ensure they live above board as the National Judicial Council (NJC) would not hesitate in taking disciplinary actions against any judge found wanting.
Justice Ariwoola cautioned the judges not to use their offices to amass illegal wealth through corrupt practices or engage in any other form of dishonest actions.
He said, “Whatever wrongdoing that emanates from any form of indiscretion and abuse of office will, in like manner, be used to conscientise, chastise and thoroughly sanitise the same conscience that you may have refused to listen to.
“Appointment to the bench is not an appointment to wealth, vainglory, dishonest disposition or ostentatious lifestyle through corrupt acquaintances.
“The searchlight of the National Judicial Council beams brightly on all judicial officers across the country. The NJC should never, either by omission or commission, be mistaken for a toothless bulldog.
“It can bark fiercely and as well bite deeply and aggressively, too. Our radar is sophisticated enough to detect every form of corruption and wrongdoing by judicial officers; and we will not waste a moment in taking the necessary action to fish out the bad eggs.
“The remoteness of your location of adjudication can never blur our sight on you. We have put in place the right machinery to capture and document your conduct. So, be careful and take heed, or else, you may end up regretting ever being appointed a judicial officer. Though, we don’t wish you such, anyway!”
While stressing the delicate nature of the job of the judges, the CJN urged them to be fair and impartial to all in delivering justice.
“You must be impartial, fair to all, and apply justice in all your undertakings. The times that we are in, are quite perilous, so we need judicial officers who are calculative, honest, objective and dispassionate in all ramifications.
“Thus, your appointments to the bench at this crucial period of our national history are not by accident but by divine ordination,” he added.
The Nigerian Football Premier League (NPFL) has rescheduled the Day 3 Match of the league between Bendel Insurance FC of Benin and Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan to Oct 2.
The announcement is contained in a letter addressed to the chairmen and general managers of the clubs by the Chief Operating Officer of the league, Davidson Owumi.
The Benin Arsenal were to host the Oluyole Boys as the two clubs are fondly called by their fans, on Sunday.
The match, however, clashed with 2024 off-cycle governorship election in Edo, when vehicular movement is usually restricted. (NAN)
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) has shutdown Oracle Business Ltd, belonging to former Governor Samuel Ortom for allegedly owing taxes to the tune of N93.5m.
The premises of Jagshu and Ubgechi Filling Stations were also shutdown over alleged N2.
1m and N2.1m tax defaults respectively in Makurdi.The tax defaulters operation was carried out at the weekend by the Acting Executive Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service, Sunday Odagba in company of the Board’s Secretary/Legal Adviser, Ushahemba Dekaa
The action followed an order from a State High Court sitting in Makurdi which mandated the Board to enforce the consequences of the default.
The BIRS Legal Adviser, Ushahemba Dekaa told journalists after sealing the premises of Oracle Business Ltd that the company defaulted in its obligations for payment of taxes for six years, hence the clamp down.
According to him, the board has been monitoring the tax of the company all these while and the company keep on going back and forth in relation to payment which they failed to do.
He said the board equally organized several meetings and engagements with the companies, yet no compliance even when BIRS were using soft approach to ensure that they paid their taxes and levies but all to no avail.
On his part, the Group Managing Director of Oracle Business, Chris Omiyi argued that the company got letters of tax evaluation totalling N138m. “We sent our tax consultant to them and the liability dropped to N38million.
“Even that amount was spurious but because we are peace-loving we agreed to pay the N38million. But there is still a dispute of N15million which we are to resolve in the office. They fixed a date for the resolution, we got there the people we deal with were not on seat.
“The issue is that you said a company owes tax and we have started paying what you said we owe. Whatever that is in dispute we bring it forward and if it is overruled then we pay that which is in dispute because we have paid all others.”
In his remark the BIRS Acting Chairman, Sunday Odangba stated Oracle Business and other affected companies failed in their obligations.
He explained that the board on several occasions served them demand notices which they did not object and they did not pay.
The Management of the University of Jos has commenced the construction of a 10-lane Olympic Size Swimming Pool ahead of the upcoming National Universities Games Association (NUGA).
Prof. Tanko Ishaya, the Vice Chancellor of the University disclosed this on Monday while handing over the project site to Kaplan Consults Ltd.
and Caniyota Ltd. , the firms handling the project.The NUGA games, to be hosted by the university, is scheduled to hold between April and May 2025.
Ishaya, who explained that the project was being funded with Internally Generated Revenue, said that the swimming pool is one of the key facilities needed toward a successful NUGA games.
“Once this project is completed, all the necessary sporting facilities required for us to host the best NUGA games will be in place.
“I am calling on the contractors to carry out this job within the 16-week specified period; we need a quality job as well.
“We will expect briefing on weekly basis on the progress of work because we want this facility to be ready at least three months before the competition,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Halima Auta, the university’s Director of Physical Facilities, explained that the swimming pool, a view pavilion and changing rooms would be handled by Kaplan Consult Ltd., while the training pool, all procurement and installations would be done by Caniyota Ltd.
Responding on behalf of the Contractors, Mr Kinsley Nathaniel of Kaplan Consults Ltd., promised to deploy the expertise needed to execute the project to an international standard. (NAN)
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