As reported by Voice of Nigeria, the former Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Idris Haroon, has praised the swearing-in of the new acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on August 23, 2024.

Justice Haroon made these remarks while speaking with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate President Tinubu for maintaining the hierarchy in the judiciary, hierarchical consideration is highly important in the appointment of the head of the judiciary of this country, I must commend him for respecting the law and keeping it.”

Haroon charged the new acting CJN as well as other Judicial officers to endeavour to safeguard the judiciary in order to maintain social justice and protect the country from descending into chaos.

“Judiciary of any nation is the pillar of social justice and coexistence, where the judiciary isn’t firm enough or fails to disseminate that divine role given by God and society then that nation or society is bound to fail because it will lead to people taking actions into their hands and this will cause chaos.

“Judicial officers should see themselves as having a responsibility given to them by God because when you’re placed in a court, you have been handed the trust of a particular Nation and you have to do it with selflessness without any bias, you have to believe that this job is between you, your conscience, your God and the Society.

“I will refer my Lord (CJN) and other Judicial officers to Qur’an chapter 4 verse 135 which calls on them to stand firm on justice regardless of who is in question,” he said.

The retired judicial officer also urged Kekere-Ekun to take lessons from her predecessors to ensure a successful time in her new role as the head of the Country’s Judiciary.

“The newly appointed acting CJN is coming in at a very delicate and crucial moment in this country, she can take lessons from her predecessors to know how to navigate her way in office to get success in her work,” he added.

The seasoned jurist while speaking on the recent drive for constitutional review, said that the focus of any new constitution should be on entrenching social justice and safety of the people, saying that, “any constitution that can’t enhance the spirit of sovereignty, that can’t guarantee Social justice, safety and security, then something is wrong with that constitution.

“I’m of the opinion that the Nigerian constitution needs to be examined so that we can have an Ideal society where we can have peaceful coexistence and harmony, particularly security will be addressed.”