THE Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, has pledged to do justice to all for the common good of the country.
Justice Musdapher spoke with journalists yesterday after taking the oath of office and allegiance before President Goodluck Jonathan at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
"The downturn in the society has not left the judiciary alone, no doubt about it. God willing, we will do everything to ensure that things are better in the judiciary. We will face the challenge squarely and make sure that it becomes one of the best in the world. The delays in the dispensation of justice will be reduced to the barest minimum.
"We will make sure that we look at the procedural rules and all the laws and make suggestions for the amendment to the laws governing the procedures," he said.
When asked to comment on his appointment, Justice Musdapher said: "Well, I don't know. It is the prerogative of the President. The constitution is very clear as far as I'm concerned. It is the prerogative of the President to pick and choose anyone he wants from the judges of the Supreme Court or anywhere else."
Speaking earlier, President Jonathan said his administration is "totally committed to upholding the tenets of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary."
He also pledged to continue to engage with the judicial and legislative arms of government on the basis of mutual respect and productive engagement.
Justice Musdapher was sworn in following the retirement of Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu on Sunday after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
Justice Musdapher's position will become substantive when President Jonathan writes to the Senate asking for his confirmation and it is ratified by the Senate.
While praising Justice Katsina-Alu (rtd) for his courage and patriotism, President Jonathan said the nation owes him a debt of gratitude "for providing effective and courageous leadership to the judiciary arm of government at the critical period in our nation's political developmental history. As he retires from active service, it is my hope that he will remain ready and willing to continue to avail the nation of his worthy attributes of courage, diligence, selfless service and common patriotism. On behalf of the government and the people of Nigeria, I wish him retirement life marked with robust health, fulfillment and Almighty God's enduring protection and provision."
President Jonathan noted that Justice Musdapher was assuming office at a very challenging time not only for the judiciary, but for the larger society which looks up to the judiciary arm of government as an impartial and courageous arbiter.
"Given his rich antecedents and compelling experience, I am confident that he will be able to face up to these challenges and rekindle the people's faith and confidence in the judicial process. On our part, I assure that this administration is totally committed to upholding the tenets of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.
"We shall continue to engage with the judicial and the legislative arms of government on the basis of mutual respect and productive engagements. I congratulate Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher on his deserved appointment as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and I wish him a most successful and fulfilling tenure," he added.
Musdapher was born on July 15, 1942 in Babura Town, Jigawa State. He attended Babura Elementary School, 1950-53; Birnin Kudu Middle School, 1954-56; Rumfa College, Kano, 1957-62; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 1963-64; University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies 1964-67; Inns of Court School of Law (Middle Temple), 1964-67 and the Nigerian Law School, 1967-68.
He was in to private legal practice from 1968 to 1976; served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kaduna State from 1976-78; Judge, High Court of Kano State in 1979 and Chief Judge, Kano State Judiciary from 1979 to 1985. He also served as Justice, Court of Appeal from 1985 to 2003; Justice, Supreme Court of Nigeria from 2003 until yesterday when he was sworn in as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He was bestowed with the national honors of the Commander of the Order of the Niger, (CON) in 2003 and Commander of the Federal Republic, (CFR) in 2009.
He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Chairman, Body of Benchers; Vice Chairman, National Judicial Council; member, World Jurists Association and Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, amongst others.
Meanwhile, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged President Jonathan to rescind his decision to accede to the National Judicial Commission (NJC's) recommendation on Justice Ayo Salami by appointing an Acting President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) to replace him, saying a reversal of the decision is the only way to end the controversy generated by the act.
In a statement issued in Lagos on yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also criticised the government's attempt to rationalise President Jonathan's action, describing it as futile and a pointer to the quality of advice being given to the president by his advisers.
The Guardian