FURTHER details emerged, on Monday, on how President Goodluck Jonathan frustrated moves by some powerful forces, which were bent on stopping the nomination of Justice Aloma Mukhtar as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Sources in political circles confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that the forces had all along followed the career progression of Mukhtar since her days in the service of Kano State judiciary.

It was learnt that one of the perceived “sins” of the new CJN was that she is a single mother, who had issue from a non-northerner.

According to sources, there were strident moves aimed at lobbying the president to sideline her and possibly pick the next person in line.

“We do not know why she was being strongly opposed, but I can confirm to you that the president’s insistence on merit and competence worked in her favour,” a source in the know told the Nigerian Tribune.

It was learnt that those opposed to Mukhtar’s rise to the pinnacle of her career had been after her for a long time now.

She was said to be senior of the immediate past CJN, Dahiru Musdapher, in the old Kano State judiciary, having joined service some six months before the retired CJN, though she was younger in age, but was sidelined when it was time to appoint the Chief Judge of the state.

Sources said that the forces were against a woman heading the state judiciary at the time.

It was learnt that Mukhtar was then asked to transfer her service to the Court of Appeal where she served for 17 years.

“I am sure that on record, she remains the longest serving justice of the Court of Appeal but it would interest you that she didn’t become the President of the Court of Appeal,” another source said.

It was gathered that she was kept at the Court of Appeal as one president emerged after the other in that court.

A source said when it became obvious that she might emerge the president of the court, some forces later engineered her promotion to the Supreme Court, where she had to mark time until now.

It was also gathered that President Jonathan had to fight off lots of pressure in the bid to naming Mukhtar the new CJN.

A source said along the line, when her name came up, moves were made to move the new CJN to become the full time Chief Justice of the Republic of Gambia.

The source further said President Jonathan resisted the ploy and insisted on merit in making the appointment.

During her inauguration as CJN on Monday, President Jonathan noted that Justice Mukhtar had been a trailblazer in her career.

Besides, the fact that she is a woman also worked in her favour, as her appointment would enable the president to make history as making the first woman CJN.

The president, on Monday, said “Your Lordships, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, there is the hand of destiny in the life of this distinguished Jurist.

“From the records, Her Lordship has always been a trailblazer in her judicial journey. She was the first female lawyer of northern extraction; the first female High Court Judge from the North; first female second in command in Kano State judiciary; the first Nigerian female jurist to be elevated to the Court of Appeal, where she served for over 17 years.

“Today, she has risen to the pinnacle of her judicial career as the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria in further service of our great country.”

Comments (8)

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Salute
written by olawale taiwo, July 17, 2012

Congrats madam CJN

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CJN
written by Chris Jones, July 17, 2012

The new CJN may be from Kano but her accent sounds Yoruba. Just trivia.

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Mr.
written by Love Korfa, July 17, 2012

The President should keep up the spirit of always going for merit no matter the pressure because his name is at stake and not those who are piling pressure on him. He should apply the same attitude in all other appointments.
God bless Nigeria

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...
written by Grace, July 17, 2012

Welldone, my Lady Justice.

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Upholding Fairness
written by Dominic Joseph, July 17, 2012

This distiguished jurist Justice Aloma Mukhtar is a woman of destiny. It would have been very disheartened and an offence against nature and fairness if at the end she was denied of her hard-earned prestige/honour. She deserves it; she worths it. She is a woman of patience, consciousness, diligence, commitment, and fairness. Nigerian should endeavour to support fairness and our leaders especially the president should be more meticulous in taking wise decision. God will continue to help him to keep on the good work. Amen

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How Jonathan sidelined forces against new CJN
written by Osaretin, July 17, 2012

GEJ is a trustworthy, honest and a true Nigerian. Those who are making your tenure ungovernable will not live to see 2015 elections.

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How Jonathan sidelined forces against new CJN
written by Okoro Priscilla, July 17, 2012

Congrats madam jurist. May God uphold you and help you to make impact the the judiciary that is fast failing Nigerians.

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upfhld It's great to hear from you and see what you've been up to. In your blog I feel your enthusiasm for life. thank you.,north face coats www.northfaceoutletcoats.net 479594

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