*Swears In Garba As Chief Judge Of FCT High Court

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, on Monday, urged the newly sworn-in Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Salisu Garba, to be impartial and fair in the discharge of his duties.

The CJN who gave the charge while swearing-in Justice Garba as the substantive Chief Judge of FCT at the Supreme Court, told the new CJ to be upright and always live above reproach as he (CJN) will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public trust.

“You are expected to conduct your affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath that has just been administered on you. Anything short of that will place you on a collision course with history; ”, he said.

According to the CJN, trust is a burden and the new CJ must discharge it with utmost sincerity, honesty and transparency, adding that, conscience is an open wound which only truth can heal.

“You must resolutely rise and operate above every sentiment that might play out in the course of your tenure. I have personal and official knowledge of my lord for a very long time as a studious and visionary judicial officer and I am absolutely confident that nothing contrary shall steer us in the face by virtue of this new status.”

He told the new CJ not to see his new position and as an opportunity to suppress, oppress, repressor settle scores with known or imaginary enemies.

“You must not embark on any voyage of vendetta because your new position is not only a test of your ingenuity and administrative prowess but equally, a window to peep and clearly gauge your level of tolerance and human relations.

“There is no doubt that temptations, tribulations, intimidations and even sheer blackmails may be freely unleashed on you but as a thoroughbred judicial officer that I have known you to be, you must guide your loins to rise above such fleeting but temper-torching moments and do what will earn you accolades in the court of public opinions,” he said.

Justice Garba, who hails from Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina state is succeeding Justice Ishaq Bello, who bowed out of the FCT judiciary after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Garba was appointed a magistrate of the FCT high court in 1989. In 1997, he became the chief registrar of the FCT high court and was appointed a judge of the FCT high court in 1998.

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