As the judiciary marks a new legal year, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen has vowed to wield the big stick against corrupt judicial officers.
Onnoghen, who said he was committed to ensuring that the judiciary was efficient, effective and just, said this in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2017 national workshop for Secretaries, Registrars, Court Clerks, Protocol Officers, Bailiffs and Process Servers.
According to him, the attitude and conduct of judicial officers and support staffs towards court users must be that of responsibility and accountability in order to boost public confidence in the judiciary.
He said: “The theme of this year’s workshop ‘Enhancing the Operational Capacity of Judiciary Staff’ is appropriate and necessary because the target audience at this workshop are the first point of contact with members of the public.
“As officers in charge of the day-to-day running of the courts, it is imperative that you display high ethical standards of behaviour and be guided by the Code of Conduct for Court Employees.
“Let me state here that the judiciary is keen on setting out clear standards and establishing a result oriented institution for effective administration of justice.
“You must wake up to playing your part in the actualization of this goal. You must have the fear of God in all that you do, and not allow any aspect of your personal interest to conflict with your official duties.”
“It is imperative for you to shun all form of corruption and its tendencies. Corruption has no place in the judiciary, the big stick shall spare no one, thus commitment to duty and honesty should be your watch word”, the CJN added.
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