Justices of the Supreme Court on Saturday boycotted the inauguration of members of the election petitions tribunal by the newly appointed Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Tanko Mohammed.
The event was held at the Supreme Court Complex, Abuja.
Going against tradition, the justices of the Supreme Court, who normally would have accompanied the CJN on such an occasion, stayed away with only one of them, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, joining the Acting CJN, Justice Mohammed on the court podium.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Friday suspended the Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen and immediately replaced him with Justice Tanko Mohammed, an action that has received wide condemnation from within and outside the shores of the nation.
Onnoghen had been facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, for false declaration of assets.
The absence of the justices therefore, may not be unconnected with the actions of the federal government.
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Meanwhile, performing his first official assignment, the Acting CJN Mohammed swore in 250 members of the election petitions tribunal panels for the 2019 general elections in the country.
The exercise begins on February 16, with Presidential and National Assembly election.
Speaking during the inauguration, he charged members of the tribunal to remember that they are accountable to God under the oath they had just sworn.
“This is an ethical undertaking to justice as well as to uphold the Rule of Law in our courts. As such, I implore you to discharge your onerous duty diligently and with the fear of God Almighty. The judiciary is in trying times, and you must stand to protect and uphold the integrity of this arm of government,” he said.
Mohammed congratulated the Tribunal members on their appointment and enjoined them to see this assignment as a call to greater service to the nation.
He further challenged them to uphold and enhance the honour and standing of the judiciary while praying God to bestow upon them “strength, good health and wisdom in the performance of your duties.”
