CJN Swears -in Taraba Based Lawyer as a Notary Public
By Lynn Adda
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Friday, sworn in Barr Hassan Saubana, a Taraba based lawyer and Chairman Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Wukari branch as a Notary Public.
The oath of office was administered on Barr Saubana at a brief ceremony held at the Taraba High court in Jalingo, the Taraba State Capital.
The CJN who was represented by the Taraba Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Joel Agya, stressed that the importance of a Notary Public in Nigeria cannot not be overemphasize as he or she was deemed to be an officer of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu had signed into law, the Notaries Public Act, 2023 on June 12, 2023, which repealed the Notaries Public Act, 2004.
“A Notary Public under the 2023 Act is an individual, usually a legal practitioner, commissioned or appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to perform notarial functions, including the authentication of documents and administration of Oaths, and affirmations.
“Unlike what was obtainable before, the 2023 Act now provides for the registration of Notaries Public in a physical and electronic register to be kept by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“The key functions of Notaries Public include witnessing the execution of legal and international documents, assignments of intellectual property, power of attorney and deeds company resolutions.
“Others are obtaining authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, preparing notarial certificates of law and good standing, verifying company documents, verifying identity and signature, performing digital notarisation through electronic means among others,” he said.
Justice Agya explained that the important difference among the Commissioner of Oath, a Justice of Peace and a Notary Public was that only a Notary Public can validly notarise documents that would be used in another country.
He called on other legal practitioners to apply to be Notaries as being a Notary Public would be to them more valuable at their work and boost their career.
Mr Martin Milkman, the NBA Chairman, Jalingo branch, Congratulated Saubana on his appointment by the CJN, saying it has opened the door for global practice.
Barr Milkman commended the Taraba Chief Judge for transforming the judiciary in the state for better justice administration.
Responding, Barr Saubana expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for finding him worthy of appointment as a Notary Public, promising to do his best to deliver on his duties for the good of the society.
