Nigerian leader urges setting up special courts for terrorism, corruption

Swearing in Nigeria’s first female Chief Justice on Monday, President Goodluck Jonathan called for the setting up of special courts for terrorism and corruption cases as a way of facilitating dispensation of justice in those areas.

At a well attended ceremony in Abuja to swear in Justice Aloma Mukhtar, amidst commendations by various groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), President Jonathan said that terrorism and corruption have constituted grave embarrassment to the country and drastic action should be taken to stem the menace.

Nigeria, he said, could not develop if people continue to live in fear caused by a few people.

“The judiciary must stand side-by-side with the executive in the fight against terror and corruption,” he said.

The incumbent, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, vacated the office after attaining the statutory retirement age of 70 years on July 14.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have hailed the appointment of Chief Justice Mukhtar and described it as “a very healthy development”.

The Chairman of the NBA - Ikeja branch, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, said Justice Mukhtar had shown herself to be a woman of integrity and profound knowledge of the law.

Mukhtar, he said, should ensure that the integrity of the judiciary was maintained by having a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and indiscipline in the sector.

Similarly, the Executive Director of SERAP, a human rights group, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, said Justice Mukhtar distinguished herself as a judge while serving at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State.