Ruby Rabiu & Habeeb I. Pindiga
18 January 2007
The Chief Justice of Nigeria [CJN], Justice Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore wept as he graciously bowed out of office after spending 42 years as a judicial officer twenty one of those on the bench as a judge.
Justice Belgore who retired at the mandatory age of 70 could not hold back his tears when he narrated the story of his life concerning his late father, Mallam Yusuf Belgore called on all a sundry to obey the constitution of Nigeria.
Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, who is likely to take to step into the shoes of Belgore could also not help but shed tears as events at valedictory session unfolded.
But Belgore's predecess-or in office, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais was absent at the event in Abuja yesterday.
Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi is to appear before the Senate today (Thursday) to be confirmed as head of the nation's judiciary.
Kutigi's nomination was forwarded to the Senate on Tuesday by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He took over from Justice Salihu Belgore yesterday as acting CJN pending the confirmation of his appointment by the Senate.
The upper chamber yesterday decided to fast tract action on Kutigi's screening by inviting him before the senate committee of whole rather than before a standing committee.
Senate leader, Senator Dalhatu Tafida, said yest-erday that Kutigi's CV and security clearance were yet to be received but that all required documents would be ready before today's session.
In the senate President of the Senate Ken Nnamani said there was no need to waste time on the confirmation and suggested that the whole Senate considers the nomination.
This was unanimously approved.
In his farewell speech, Belgore noted that the judiciary was the greatest asset Nigeria had.
He said, "From independ-ence up to now the greatest asset of this nation is the judiciary.
"The executive might transgress, the Legislature might become unruly, it has always been the Judiciary that has stood the test of time by standing firm on the side of truth and justice.
Although laden with emotion, Belgore cautioned politicians on the abuse of the constitution.
His words: "The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is our Supreme Law, the fountain of all our laws. Politicians with disdain must not treat it, otherwise they may be breaking their Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance. The Constitution is young, but must be treated as our most sacred document. Before the ink on it dries, we should not tear it apart."
"All elected officers are entrusted by the electors with the sacred responsibility of governing well and making laws for good governance so that there will be law and order in the nation. It is in this way there will be stability and progress. To do otherwise may invite mayhem that will cost us lives and economic ruin," he added.
Belgore noted that although the Judiciary has made tremendous progress, all was not well with it called on all stakeholders to improve on the achievements so far made.
Belgore weeps, urges obedience to constitution as he bows out
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