President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday swore in Justice Aloma Mukhtar as the first female and 13th indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)Jonathan also conferred on her the honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) at the ceremony which took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.The president urged the new CJN to consider the creation of special court and designation of special judges to adjudicate on terrorism and corruption cases.Jonathan said doing so would be in tandem with the yearnings and aspirations of the people for speedy dispensation of cases on terrorism and corruption.The President noted that the security challenges occasioned by sporadic act of terrorism in some parts of the country called for concerted actions by the three arms of government.'I am confident that the judiciary under your able leadership will rise up to the challenge and provide the most needed support for government to address these challenges.'Our citizens complain of delayed trial particularly in cases of corruption, terrorism and other matters of serious public concern.'These complaints have led to frequent calls for special courts or designation of special judges to handle them with the required experience and speed.'He also urged the new CJN to live up to her promise of reforming the judiciary, as made during her confirmation by the Senate.Jonathan underscored the unprecedented and historic nature of the ceremony of swearing-in the first female CJN in the Nigeria, noting that he remained focused in projecting women.In an interview with State House Correspondents, Mukhtar said she would partner with the relevant authorities to curb corruption and terrorism.She said she would bring on board the bench and the bar as well as the review of relevant laws in ensuring speedy dispensation of justice.The new CJN said designated judges would be assigned at the federal and states levels to handle corruption and terrorism cases.Justice Mukhtar who hailed from Dawakin Tofa, Kano State, was born in Lagos on November 20, 1944.She was called to the English Bar (Middle Temple) in November 1966 at the age of 22, and enrolled at the Nigerian Bar, June 26, 1967.She served in the Attorney-General's Chamber of Northern Nigeria from 1967-1971 from where she was appointed a MagistrateOn January 1, 1977, Mukhtar was elevated as the 'rst female judge of the High Court of Kano State.She also made history on September 24, 1987, as the first female judge to be elevated to the Court of AppealSimilarly, she was sworn in as the 'rst female Justice of the Supreme Court June 8, 2005 at the age of 61.From May 2011 to date, Justice Mukhtar doubled as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Supreme Court of the Gambia.She is a life member, International Federation of Female Lawyers, Fellow of the Nigerian Law School since 2004, and the Vice Chairman of the Body of Bencher.After leaving office, she will become the first female permanent member of the country's highest advisory council, the Council of State.
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