The new Chief Justice of the federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen has vowed that it would be impossible for anybody to cow and pocket the judiciary under his watch.
He stated this while fielding questions from the senators during his screening.
During the screening, he acknowledged that there would be conflicting judgements which are bound to happen the processes are different and the lawyers can adopt any of the choices and the system of Nigeria Judiciary has a way of regulating itself.”
He equally advocated for an increase of Supreme Court members from 17 to 21 members as stipulated by the Constitution.
On the delay of electoral and corruption cases pending in various courts across the federation, Onnoghen revealed that a special panel has been set up to forward a list of those cases, promising that they would receive expeditious attention.
He urged litigants to do thorough investigations of cases before approaching the courts so as to enhance adjudication, adding that they were still Judicial officers who have impeccable characters in the system.
Senate Committee Chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru sought to know if he will be courageous enough to maintain his stand in the light of lead judgement between Amaechi and INEC in 2005, which led to the arrest of some top judiciary officers.
Responding, Onnoghen opined that he will strengthen the Independence of the judiciary in order to shore up public confidence, particularly as the last hope of the common people.
“Under my watch, the independence of the judiciary will be strengthened because the sector is the last hope of every man and justice is divine”, he stated.