***Tasks them on ethics, public trust
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, has inaugurated 17 newly appointed Notaries Public and charged them to uphold the dignity, integrity and public-trust of their new office.
Justice Majebi who gave the charge while performing the oath-taking ceremony in Lokoja said they were appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun (GCON).
Majebi congratulated the 17 Notaries Public, saying their appointment, which he described as a significant milestone in their professional careers, was in line with the Notaries Public Act, 2023.
The Chief Judge commended the CJN for the appointments saying that the occasion marked a moment of pride for Kogi State justice delivery system, families of the appointees and the legal profession in general.
Justice Majebi underscored the strategic role of Notaries Public within Nigeria’s legal framework, noting that the office is statutorily grounded, judicially recognized and closely linked to the administration of justice.
He noted that under the Notaries Public Act, 2023, Notaries are empowered to perform public legal acts, including administering oaths, taking affidavits and declarations.
Other are authenticating signatures, notarizing legal and corporate documents and certifying documents for use both within and outside Nigeria.
He further stressed that the Act designates every Notary Public as an officer of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with notarial acts carrying a presumption of regularity and enhanced evidential value in judicial proceedings.
He reminded them on their expected ethical conduct and drew their attention to the disciplinary provisions of the Act which empowers the Supreme Court to sanction any erring Notary Public.
The CJ however urged them to regard their appointment as a judicial trust rather than commercial venture and encouraged them to discharge their duties in a manner that would preserve public confidence in the judicial system.
In his remarks, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Yunus Abdallahi (SAN), Commended the CJN and the state Chief Judge for their leadership roles and congratulated the appointees for their added feather.
He advised them to hold on firmly to the virtues of the office as he also vouched for their character and integrity as he celebrated their number saying the appointment of 17 Notaries Public for the state at once was unprecedented.
“My admonition is that as Notaries Public, you will not alter, change or falsify documents as I also advice the general public not to try to use them to subvert the cause of justice”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, of which he is one, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Lokoja Branch, Barrister Sumaila Adeku Abbas, appreciated the CJN, the CJ and the AG pledging to discharge the functions of their new office without prejudice.
The 16 other newly inaugurated Notaries Public include Barristers Friday Okpanachi Ekpa, Jacob Atta Alaji, Austin Oboni Peter, Muhammad Suleiman, Archor Fredson Ademu, Nwafor Lawrence Ilobunor, Patrick Okereke Nwajah, Yusuf Michael Sunday and Cynthia Esivor.
Others are Martins Ajogwu Idachaba, Michael Olarewaju Olorunmola, Samuel Sunday Owoyemi, Muhammed Bala. Samuel Ichado Akoji, Habib Osite Abbas and Arolukaiye Victoria Funmilayo whose oath was administered virtually. (Ends)
