CJN warns magistrates against corruption, partisanship

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has warned magistrates in the country against corruption and undue affiliation to politicians who could turn them to a tool for settling political scores.

Media aide to the CJN, Mr. Ahuraka Isah, quoted Justice Mohammed in a statement on Sunday as handing down the warning ‎when members of the National Executive Committee of the Magistrates Associati‎on of Nigeria visited him (the CJN) in his office in Abuja last week.

The delegation was led by the acting national president of the association, Victoria Isiguzo, a Chief Magistrate.

There were 15 other Justices of the Supreme Court, who received the magistrates along with the CJN.

Justice Mohammed was said to have ‎asked the magistrates to avoid being used by politicians to intimidate opponents during this year’s elections.

“I must urge you to shun corruption and unnecessary affiliations with the political class or politically exposed persons who may not hesitate to turn you into instrument of intimidation or use you to remove his or her rivals from the circulation during this year’s election cycle,” the CJN said.

Justice Mohammed however lamented the woes of the magistrates in the country, which he said was partly due to lack of constitutional recognition accorded them as a judicial officer.‎

He disclosed that a constitution amendment proposal aimed at formally recognising magistrates as judicial officers ‎would be sent to the National Assembly to confer the due recognition on magistrates.