Mukhtar To Bulkachuwa: Resist Political Pressures

SAN FRANCISCO, April 18, (THEWILL) â€' The new President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, has been charged to resist any form of political pressure in the discharge of her duties.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, handed down the advice on Thursday after swearing in Bulkachuwa as the new President of the Appellate Court in Abuja.

Explaining that Bulkachuwa's appointment came at a time the nation's judiciary was undergoing reform, Muhktar said the judiciary had come a long way and could ‎not afford to fail at this point in the country's nascent democracy.

'For this reason, I charge you to make all efforts to reposition the court and ensure that confidence in the court is restored,' the CJN said.

Also urging Bulkachuwa to be above board,Muhktar urged her to, at all times, act in consonance with the oath of her office .

Maintaining that the office of the President of the Court of Appeal she was assuming was very tasking and arduous, the CJN charged her to demonstrate purposeful leadership and ensure proper coordination of all the justices and activities of the court.

She was also advised to exercise her duties with all honesty, integrity and honour.

President Goodluck Jonathan had appointed Bulkachuwa as President of the Court of Appeal based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC). She replaced Justice Ayo Salami who was eventually retired after a prolonged suspension.

Bulkachuwa is the sixth President of the court which was established in 1976 and is the first woman to be appointed as president of the court.

The Court of Appeal ,according to the Nigerian Constitution, is the court of first instance in presidential election petition.

The swearing in ceremony was attended by Governor of Gombe State, brahim Dankwamboo, and his Bauchi State counterpart, Isa Yuguda. A former CJN, Justice Muhammad Uwais, and a former Minister of Education, Professor Jubril Aminu, also attended the swearing-in ceremony which held inside the chambers of the Supreme Court.