The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, Friday swore in John Inyang Okoro, as a Justice of the Supreme Court.

Inyang who hails from Akwa Ibom State increased the number of justices in the apex court to 18.

Performing the swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court headquarters in Abuja, the CJN urged Okoro to ensure that he remained above board.

“As I felicitate with you, let me point out that you have a very heavy responsibility on your shoulders,” the CJN observed.

She challenged Okoro to work towards correcting the wrong impressions of the public about the judiciary.

“The public perception of the judiciary as we are well aware is central to its existence especially in a democratic society as Nigeria. It follows therefore that the judiciary is a democratic society cannot remain aloof of the realities of the operating environment even if only for the pragmatic necessity to maintain its relevance in the society,” she said.

Justice Mukhtar said the judiciary plays a critical role in mediating conflicts and upholding human rights through a robust interpretation of the law.