President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday swore-in Justice Aloma Mukhtar as the first female and thirteenth indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
At the ceremony which took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President urged the new CJN to consider the creation of special court and designation of special judges to adjudicate on terrorism and corruption cases.
Jonathan said doing so would be in tandem with the yearnings and aspirations of the people for speedy dispensation of cases on terrorism and corruption.
The President noted that the security challenges occasioned by sporadic act of terrorism in some parts of the country called for concerted actions by the three arms of government.
``I am confident that the judiciary under your able leadership will rise up to the challenge and provide the most needed support for government to address these challenges.
“Our citizens complain of delayed trial particularly in cases of corruption, terrorism and other matters of serious public concern.
``These complaints have led to frequent calls for special courts or designation of special judges to handle them with the required experience and speed.
``It will be your prerogative to consider and decide on this calls; but I am sure that the entire country is in agreement that justice delayed is justice denied.” He said.
The President also urged the new CJN to live up to her promise of reforming the judiciary, as made during her confirmation by the Senate.
He urged Mukhtar to quickly commence the urgent task of reforming and repositioning the judiciary for effective and efficient discharge of justice.
Jonathan, who noted that the independent of the judiciary was critical to national development and survival, called on the new CJN to apply the instrument of her office in ensuring timely justice delivery.
The President also urged Mukhtar to use her office in ensuring that substantive justice would never be sacrificed on the altar of procedural technicality and impunity.
President Jonathan underscored the unprecedented and historic nature of the ceremony of swearing-in the first female CJN in the Nigeria, noting that though his administration had remained focused in projecting women, the new CJN achieved the outstanding feat on account of her brilliance, resilience and hard work.
The President thanked the immediate past CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, for the spirited efforts he made to restore public confidence in the judiciary within his short tenure in office.
At the ceremony it was reported that the President conferred on Justice Mukhtar the honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON).
In an interview with State House Correspondents, Mukhtar said she would partner with the relevant authorities to curb corruption and terrorism.
She said she would bring on board the bench and the bar as well as the review of relevant laws in ensuring speedy dispensation of justice.
The new CJN said designated judges would be assigned at the federal and states levels to handle corruption and terrorism cases.
Justice Mukhtar who hailed from Dawakin Tofa, Kano State, was born in Lagos on November 20, 1944.
She was called to the English Bar (Middle Temple) in November 1966 at the age of 22, and enrolled at the Nigerian Bar, June 26, 1967.
She served in the Attorney-General’s Chamber of Northern Nigeria from 1967-1971 from where she was appointed a Magistrate
On January 1, 1977, Mukhtar was elevated as the first female judge of the High Court of Kano State.
She also made history on September 24, 1987, as the first female judge to be elevated to the Court of Appeal
Similarly, she was sworn in as the first female Justice of the Supreme Court June 8, 2005 at the age of 61.
From May 2011 to date, Justice Mukhtar doubled as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Supreme Court of the Gambia.
She is a life member, International Federation of Female Lawyers, Fellow of the Nigerian Law School since 2004, and the Vice Chairman of the Body of Bencher.
After leaving office, she will become the first female permanent member of the country’s highest advisory council, the Council of State.
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