Benedict Kanyib, President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), has counseled the newly appointed judges of the court to distance themselves from the temptations that go with the job.
The president gave the advice while welcoming the new judges into the NICN family during a dinner organized by the court in their honour. He noted that it’s the first time an indigene of FCT is being appointed to this prestigious office of a judge in the court.
The Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jedy-Agba who was also at the dinner, advised the new judges to be fair in dispensing justice in their various courts. One of the Supreme Court Judges also admonished them to live above board, saying there are the good, the bad and ugly side of the appointment.
In his response on behalf of the judges, Barrister Subilim Emmanuel Danjuma, pledged that they would perform their duties with utmost integrity, fairness, dedication, and commitment to uphold the principles of justice, safeguard the right of every individual in their courtrooms and make decisions that are just and equitable.
Justice Subilim, assured that they are ready to embark on their new roles to contribute to the administration of justice and make positive impact in the lives of those who seek justice, as they strive to ensure that justice remains a beacon of hope and fundamental pillar of the Nigerian society.
Danjuma, who was before his new appointment, the Chief Registrar of the Bauchi State High Court, said that it is through the impartial application of the law that they could ensure equality, protect the vulnerable, and maintain the trust and confidence of the people they serve.
According to him, “We are indeed honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility and we are fully committed to serving the public with the highest level of professionalism and integrity”.
He told the gathering, “It is not just a celebration of collective efforts that have brought us to this point. We are grateful for the guidance, support, and love we have received from each and everyone of you. We firmly believe that the judiciary in today’s Nigeria plays a crucial role in preserving the fabric of our society”.
The judges also expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed on them by the President of the Industrial Court by the trust placed on them, as they are appreciative of the opportunity to service justice and uphold the principles of the legal system.
They further told the chief echelon of Nigeria’s judiciary, “We want to express our gratitude to the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, members of the National Judicial Council, members of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, President of the National Industrial Court, colleagues, and the legal community for enduring the meticulous procedure that produced the six of us today”.
“We believe it is through your collective wisdom, commitment to justice, and tireless efforts that our legal system maintains its integrity and fairness”, Danjuma said, and appreciated the Bauchi State Chief Justice, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar and the management of the state judiciary for what he described as ‘their unwavering support, guidance and believe in his activities’.
