Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, a woman from Kano State who started her law career in 1967, is the first female judge to be sworn in to the bench of the Supreme Court.

From ThisDay Online:
"The women cheered. They could not contain their joy. They gave a standing ovation. They applauded and applauded until they were almost begged to adjourn; but when she blew them a kiss it became obvious to all that she understood. You Sure, she knew why nearly all the female lawyers and Judges in the country thronged the Supreme Court's ceremonial hall that cool Wednesday morning. They were there to show their support and solidarity. At last and for the first time in history, a woman joined their lordships on that hallowed row!"

Source: http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=19779 (username nairaland, password nairaland)

What do you think?

What men can do women can also do with standing ovation! I think its a well deserved elevation.

Is there anyone who is involved in the legal profession on the board? Can you tell us a little bit about sinificance of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and this achievement by Aloma Mariam Mukhtar?

The Supreme Court is the highest court in Nigeria. All appeals end at the Supreme Court and the judges at that court are considered to be the most learned considering the nature of their work. At the bench [refers to lawyers in the judiciary as opposed to those practising] the highest level a lawyer can attain is being at the Supreme Court. It can be likened to being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria which is conferred on practising lawyers.

A rare first from the north. Good news.

A rare first from the north. Good news.

Rare indeed!.  I thought a Yoruba woman was appointed as a supreme court judge during Abdulsalaami regime?. Was justice Aloma appointed by merit or by nepotism?. I ask this question because I know that there is no way a non yoruba can attain this status in Nigeria because Yorubas own the legal profession in Nigeria. Best attorneys, age old ones, world class lawyers,  seasoned judges etc are Yorubas and no tribe in Nigeria can boast of half of what we got in the legal industry. I understand that igbos lead in the field of sciences esp medicine, engineering and physical sciences but when it comes to law, yorubas are the pacesetters. I am 70% sure this female aboki was appointed by nepotism because it just doesn't add up. Congrats to her sha, at least they remembered a woman this time around.

Gosh! This was in 2005. Is she still the one there?

Who dug out this thread and for what intent and purpose?

iReport:

Rare indeed!.  I thought a Yoruba woman was appointed as a supreme court judge during Abdulsalaami regime?. Was justice Aloma appointed by merit or by nepotism?. I ask this question because I know that there is no way a non yoruba can attain this status in Nigeria because Yorubas own the legal profession in Nigeria. Best attorneys, age old ones, world class lawyers,  seasoned judges etc are Yorubas and no tribe in Nigeria can boast of half of what we got in the legal industry. I understand that igbos lead in the field of sciences esp medicine, engineering and physical sciences but when it comes to law, yorubas are the pacesetters. I am 70% sure this female aboki was appointed by nepotism because it just doesn't add up. Congrats to her sha, at least they remembered a woman this time around.

Typical Deepzone yarns. How far?

iReport:

Rare indeed!.  I thought a Yoruba woman was appointed as a supreme court judge during Abdulsalaami regime?. Was justice Aloma appointed by merit or by nepotism?. I ask this question because I know that there is no way a non yoruba can attain this status in Nigeria because Yorubas own the legal profession in Nigeria. Best attorneys, age old ones, world class lawyers,  seasoned judges etc are Yorubas and no tribe in Nigeria can boast of half of what we got in the legal industry. I understand that igbos lead in the field of sciences esp medicine, engineering and physical sciences but when it comes to law, yorubas are the pacesetters. I am 70% sure this female aboki was appointed by nepotism because it just doesn't add up. Congrats to her sha, at least they remembered a woman this time around.

Do you think there are only three ethnic groups in Nigeria? I'm beginning to believe this is just an internet persona

@ Pataki,
Just came across it as foot-topic while reading a recent thread. Just caught my interest, especially as it is widely believed on NL here that anything good cannot come from the north/northerner. I think a second woman has now been appointed since then. Think Rose Ukeje now in Supreme court?

@DZ
I agree appointment into Supreme Court could be political, but there was no allegation that she didn't deserve it when the appointment was made, so let's take it as merit-based.