CJN Inaugurates 72 New SANs, Decries Odili’s Home Invasion
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, has sworn in 72 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) in Abuja.
The affected legal practitioners had been screened, examined and found worthy of the revered rank by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).
The inauguration marked the special session of the Supreme Court and commencement of the 2021/2022 Legal Year.
Muhammad, who described the ceremony as an age-long tradition, noted that the new SANs have, in all ramifications and by all standards, excelled in the practice of law.
While charging judges to undertake quick self-assessment in the line of duty, the CJN advised them to forge ahead with the right mindset and disposition to achieve more impactful results.
He said: “The Supreme Court, and by extension, the Nigerian judiciary, has fared well in the outgone legal year, though the horizon was literally roughened by overwhelming challenges.
“As this new legal year unfolds, we will like to assure you that we are determined to work assiduously to evolve a judiciary that will remarkably be the pride of Nigerians, home and abroad.”
On the invasion of Justice Mary Odili’s residence by men suspected to be security operatives, the nation’s chief judicial officer said the Bench was jolted by the invasion of her official residence, saying they have had enough dosage of such shenanigans.
He went on: “The silence of the judiciary should never be mistaken for stupidity or weakness. By the nature of our work, we are conservative, but not conquered species. We should not be pushed further than this by any individual, institution or agency of the government.”
Muhammad used the opportunity to lament the setback caused by the protracted strike of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), noting that it came with excruciating impact on smooth dispensation of justice.
BESIDES, the Court of Appeal said it had disposed of 5,669 cases and 10,798 motions in the outgone legal year.
Its President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said despite a 51 per cent increase in the number of motions filed during the period, the court witnessed a 48 per cent rise in the number of motions effectively handled by the panels as at November 30.
She spoke yesterday at the second retreat, yearly conference of the court and launch of its Rules 2021 in Abuja. At the event attended by the CJN, Justice Dongban-Mensem said due to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, 528 judgments were delivered via Zoom during the period under review.
She added that 10 hearings were held using the forum, while in the last two months, 40 rulings had been delivered via the platform.
