Date: 2017-03-09

The Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Sulyman Kawu, has said judicial officers who take bribes will go to hell.

He warned judicial officers to desist and distance themselves from anything touching on corruption, which, he stated, manifests itself in the form of bribery, graft, nepotism and favouritism.

He spoke on Wednesday during the swearing in of 15 magistrates and six Area Court judges in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Kawu said, "The moment you start to take bribes, words will quickly spread that you have a price for the justice which you administer in your court.

"A judge or magistrate who takes bribe will not only lose the respect of the members of the public and the giver of the bribe but will also have damnation and hell fire as his portion.

"In addition, such a judge or magistrate will be liable to dismissal from service and prosecution in court."

The CJ commended the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, for giving approval to fill the gap created in the lower bench of the state as a result of the retirement of some magistrates and Area Court judges in the state in recent times.

He stated that Ahmed had always demonstrated the willingness to partner the judiciary in bringing justice to the doorsteps of the people of the state.

He charged the newly sworn in magistrates and Area Court judges to adhere strictly to professional ethics and be diligent and God-fearing in the discharge of their functions.

The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, Mr. Issa Manzuma, urged the new judicial officers to be fair to all parties in the dispensation of justice.

He appealed to the Kwara State Government to provide more courtrooms and facilities in the state.

He added that judicial autonomy was imperative.

One of the magistrates, Mr. Abubakar Boro, who spoke on behalf of the other newly sworn in judicial officers, said they would abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He added that they would discharge their duties diligently, efficiently and ensure fair dispensation of justice without fear or favour.