Corrupt judges are disasters – CJN

Corrupt judges have been described as a�?disastersa�? to democracy by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Onnoghen, who stressed the role of judicial officers in the preservation of democratic principles in Nigeria, condemned certain acts of corruption noted among judges and listed efforts being taken by his office to sanitise the system.
His media assistant, Awassan Bassey, said that the CJN spoke at the 2018 refresher course for judges with the theme: a�?Enhancing the Quality of Judicial Servicesa�?.
The event was held at the National Judicial Council (NJC), Abuja on Monday.
He said: a�?Our nascent democracy has to be nurtured, consolidated and developed. Democracy in itself is nothing if the implication of the fundamental principles enshrined in the constitution of this nation cannot be readily determined in constitutional adjudication by a judiciary manned by upright judicial officers.
a�?This is premised on the fact that, as the society depends on justice, those who are singularly advantaged to do justice to all manners of persons must ensure that they are standing upright, far away from all manners of injustice.
a�?The prestige of the judiciary is indeed essential in the system of government such as ours in which the judiciary functions independently. The behaviour of judges is, in the circumstance, closely scrutinised to guarantee continued confidence in the integrity of the courts.
The combination of power, responsibility and humanity, account for both the most exemplary and sometimes the most regrettable judicial conduct. To this end, judges must exercise decorum in all their undertakings,a�? Onnoghen said.
a�?My Lords, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that a corrupt judge is not only a disgrace to the Bench and the noble profession, but also a disaster to the course of justice and the nation. I must not fail to emphasise here that my definition of corruption is not limited to bribe-taking, but includes the giving of judgements or orders based on any consideration other than legal merit,a�? Bassey said in a press statement.