The Judiciary Is Corrupt -Mukhtar, First Female CJN

Senate yesterday confirmed Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). While fielding questions from Senators before the confirmation, she admitted that corruption, which has pervaded every segment in Nigeria, is also present in the judiciary. But the new CJN pledged before the Senate to lead by example, in stamping out corruption in the judiciary.
There was no single ‘nay’ against her confirmation in the Senate after facing a barrage of questions from members for over two hours. With her confirmation, Mukhtar made history as the first woman to lead an arm of government in Nigeria. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu asked Mukhtar for her take on setting up of special courts on corruption and terrorism.
Mukhtar replied: “We can only curb terrorism if there’s a law in place. Right now, there’s no law on terrorism. Hence, I will say that the ball is in your court and the ball is in the court of the Executive. “Once a law is passed, the Judiciary will make sure that we deal with anyone found guilty of the offence.
“Corruption is in every system of our society and I can’t pretend that it is not in the judiciary. What I intend to do to curb this is to lead by example and hope that others will follow. “As Chairman of NJC, I will encourage internal cleansing based on petitions, but that is not to say that I will condone frivolous petitions. Each petition will be looked at on its merit.”
In response to a question from the Finance Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi whether plea bargain should be allowed in the judicial system, the CJN answered: “I believe there’s no harm in it if it is done in good faith and in good conscience…”
On whether public officers should declare their assets every year or every four years, Mukhtar said: “I would have thought that declaring every four years would suffice and should be maintained. But Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba insisted that the CJN had not sufficiently answered Ekweremadu’s question on creation of special courts for corruption and terrorism.
The CJN reasoned that, rather than set up special courts, serving justices could be re-deployed to serve in such courts for a fixed number of time.“I heard the idea being mooted on television and my own take is that rather than establishing a court just for that purpose, it would be better if a judge of a court is designated to hear and take these matters.
“If a court is created, as time goes by, the offences may continue to diminish and if a court is specifically set up for that, there may not be much for the court or the judge to do. I think two or three of our judges can be designated for that. That’s my own take on that…”
On releasing persons accused of terrorism on bail, Mukhtar said: “I believe this depends on what is before the judge and the proof of evidence that is before the judge… If a judge finds that there is nothing to warrant the remand of a person accused of terrorism, the judge will be at liberty to release him on bail.
“But we will partner effectively with the authorities to ensure we curb this and to ensure that unnecessary granting of bail is stopped.”Shortly after the confirmation, Senate President, David Mark noted that there were so many issues confronting the judiciary, which would hopefully be tackled with the new CJN in the saddle.“The number of issues the Judiciary will need to tackle to improve the public perception of the Judiciary will improve under her.
“We will work together with the judiciary and the executive to ensure that there’s justice, equity and honesty of purpose,” said Mark. Briefing newsmen after the screening, Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Joy Emodi noted that Mukhtar’s appointment was based purely on merit and not federal character.“We should also note that she was also the first female Northerner to become a lawyer and first woman to be appointed justice of the Court of Appeal.
“By this action, President Goodluck Jonathan has added a new dimension to his promise of gender inclusive government and promoting women. He has, indeed, uplifted Nigerian women to greater heights and left an indelible historic mark in the annals of the nation,” Emodi said. Emodi equally disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan would swear in the new CJN next Monday.
Out-going CJN, Dahiru Musdapher and other justices of the Supreme Court accompanied Mukhtar to the Senate