Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed, has described the Nigerian judiciary as one of the best in Africa and said he would want to make it one of the best in the world.
He stated this after he was sworn in as the substantive CJN by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
He also said that the judiciary under him would help the executive arm of government in its fight against corruption.
Muhammad however, warned those bringing corruption allegations against the judiciary, not to come up with claims they can defend when called upon.
He told State House correspondents after being sworn-in, “But you see, we are still learning, but I’m proud to say that Nigerian judiciary is one of the best in Africa.”
On how he was going to ensure judiciary assists the executive in the fight against corruption, he said, “Well, we are supporting the government in fighting corruption because we interpret the law and we come with better interpretation, even if there is any case which is pending and I tell you that we have been speeding up any case that has to do with the allegation of corruption. We speed it up so that if somebody is required to go to jail, he will go jail and that is the end of it.
“We would see that all these transcend down to the lower epoch of the judiciary so that even the Area Courts, Magistrate Courts will see what we do and would be bound by what we do.
“I’m telling you that the judiciary under my watch, by God’s grace, would be better and the issues of all corruption, I will ask you people or any other person who knows about it to please let him write to me or let him have contact with me and tell me.
“But remember, the thing that is difficult is when we ask you to substantiate, you will be able to substantiate. Don’t just make a hollow allegation that we have heard.”
Buhari had first, on January 25 this year, commissioned Muhammad as the acting CJN, following the suspension of the former CJN, Walter Onnoghen, over alleged assets declaration offence.
With the subsequent inauguration of Muhammad as the substantive CJN, he became the 18th Nigerian to mount the position.
