CJN urges Nigerians to shun impunity

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, has charged
Nigerians to shun impunity and cooperate with the judiciary in
order to bring the country out if its present economic woes.

Onnoghen said this at the Calabar International Convention
Centre in Calabar during a reception and state banquet organised in
his honour by the Cross River State Government.

He urged Nigerians to do things within the ambit of the law, “as
this is the law that governs the activities of our daily life.”

Onnoghen appealed to Nigerians to shun impunity and acts that
were inimical to the promotion of unity and development of the
country.

He said, “I urge every Nigerian home and abroad to try and live
within the confines of the law of the land and the constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If we are able to do just that, we
will be sure of ensuring that peace and unity reign in the
country.

“If we do that we would have succeeded in helping the judiciary
to do better justice when the need arises. This is because when we
live by the law and not just impunity that is the only way
forward.

“The time has come when all acts of lawlessness will no longer
be tolerated by the law as it is bigger than every man and not a
respecter of anyone in the country. It is no longer fashionable for
people to do things contrary to the law of the land and get away
with it simply because they know how to buy their ways.”

Onnoghen, who had earlier received a gift of the Holy Bible from
the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, said, “I value this gift of
the Holy Bible. In fact, I am becoming a collector. Yes, it is a
gift that I have been receiving because the word of God is
life.”

He disclosed that he had initially planned to be a lawyer and
not a judge.

“I wanted to become a lawyer at all costs, but never wanted to
be a judge. The decision was taken or made for me. I thank God for
my humility after realising that there was no other way for me
except to do that which I ought to do. I have no regret at all,” he
said.

Earlier in his remarks, Ayade had, while presenting the Holy
Bible, prayed that God would grant the Chief Justice of Nigeria the
wisdom to discharge his responsibility with His fear that was
devoid of ethnic or religion affinity.

The event attracted dignitaries including the Governor of Niger
State, Abubakar Bello, former governors of Cross River State, Mr.
Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke, the Chairman, Niger Delta
Development Commission, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and the chairman
of the event’s Planning Committee, Chief Ekpo Okon.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, has charged
Nigerians to shun impunity and cooperate with the judiciary in
order to bring the country out if its present economic woes.

Onnoghen said this at the Calabar International Convention
Centre in Calabar during a reception and state banquet organised in
his honour by the Cross River State Government.

He urged Nigerians to do things within the ambit of the law, “as
this is the law that governs the activities of our daily life.”

Onnoghen appealed to Nigerians to shun impunity and acts that
were inimical to the promotion of unity and development of the
country.

He said, “I urge every Nigerian home and abroad to try and live
within the confines of the law of the land and the constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If we are able to do just that, we
will be sure of ensuring that peace and unity reign in the
country.

“If we do that we would have succeeded in helping the judiciary
to do better justice when the need arises. This is because when we
live by the law and not just impunity that is the only way
forward.

“The time has come when all acts of lawlessness will no longer
be tolerated by the law as it is bigger than every man and not a
respecter of anyone in the country. It is no longer fashionable for
people to do things contrary to the law of the land and get away
with it simply because they know how to buy their ways.”

Onnoghen, who had earlier received a gift of the Holy Bible from
the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, said, “I value this gift of
the Holy Bible. In fact, I am becoming a collector. Yes, it is a
gift that I have been receiving because the word of God is
life.”

He disclosed that he had initially planned to be a lawyer and
not a judge.

“I wanted to become a lawyer at all costs, but never wanted to
be a judge. The decision was taken or made for me. I thank God for
my humility after realising that there was no other way for me
except to do that which I ought to do. I have no regret at all,” he
said.

Earlier in his remarks, Ayade had, while presenting the Holy
Bible, prayed that God would grant the Chief Justice of Nigeria the
wisdom to discharge his responsibility with His fear that was
devoid of ethnic or religion affinity.

The event attracted dignitaries including the Governor of Niger
State, Abubakar Bello, former governors of Cross River State, Mr.
Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke, the Chairman, Niger Delta
Development Commission, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and the chairman
of the event’s Planning Committee, Chief Ekpo Okon.