Retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, yesterday, denied using her former position to witch-hunt judges who had personal issues with her, THISDAY reports.
Justice Mukhtar, whose tenure witnessed the sack of seven judges, stated this during a valedictory court session organized in her honour by the Supreme Court, yesterday, insisting that all the judges got fair hearing.
While delivering her valedictory speech, justice Mukhtar said her actions were driven by an earnest zeal to sanitize the judiciary and rid it of bad eggs.
She said: “I will stress here that (contrary to complaints and allegations) every judge that was investigated and sanctioned was given a fair hearing with defense lawyers in attendance.
“As the first woman CJN, I knew I had lots of challenges before me. First, a challenge to show the nation that given the opportunity a woman can perform the function of the chief justice as effectively and efficiently as any man.
“Secondly, a challenge to reform a judiciary that was always a subject of attack and ridicule to one that is worthy of commendation.
“Thirdly, a challenge to transform the system of judicial appointments to be based on competence coupled with good character rather than nepotism and influence. With the co-operation of the NJC, I was able to achieve my objective.
“I am a stickler for compliance to laws, rules, regulations and conventions that are good for the system and my insistence on these may have offended some people.
“The same goes for my strictness and firmness in everything I do. I believe these have augured well for the system as every step I took was in the interest of the institution.
“I earnestly desired to leave a better and stronger judiciary than when I met it, and in the process I may have stepped on many toes. Standards needed to be raised and equality of citizens needed to be assured so that every citizen of this country, no matter how lowly, will restore his faith and trust in the judiciary.
“The fear of God has always been my guiding principle.”
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