CJN Ariwoola Bows Out, Says Supreme Court Overburdened
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, retires at 70, urging the reduction of the Supreme Court's workload amid public dissatisfaction with recent judicial decisions.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, 70, on Thursday, retired as from office calling for measures to be put in place to reduce the huge burden on the Supreme Court.
The former Chief Justice is leaving his position at a period when the courts are viewed with low esteem following cases which the generality of the people including lawyers did not meet their expectations to be fair.
In a recent survey by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the Judiciary took the unenviable position of the most corrupt institution in the country, overtaking others like the police, customs and immigration among others in bribery and other curruption indices.
Ariwoola noted that there were too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the Court of Appeal.
He spoke at a valedictory session in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja, pointing out that, access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.
Ariwoola further explained that the right to fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard and decided.
He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously and expeditiously.
Among those present on the occasion included Vice President Kashim Shettima who also, attended the public presentation of a book titled, ‘Judging With Justice’, written in Ariwoola’s honour, at the International Conference Centre, few hours after the official retirement of Justice Ariwoola.
Others included the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who is expected to take over from Ariwoola, going by the recommendation to President Bola Tinubu by the National Judicial Council, NJC as well as Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts.
Ariwoola noted that there were too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the Court of Appeal.
He spoke at a valedictory session in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja, pointing out that, access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.
Ariwoola further explained that the right to fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard and decided.
He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously and expeditiously.
Among those present on the occasion included Vice President Kashim Shettima who also, attended the public presentation of a book titled, ‘Judging With Justice’, written in Ariwoola’s honour, at the International Conference Centre, few hours after the official retirement of Justice Ariwoola.
Others included the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who is expected to take over from Ariwoola, going by the recommendation to President Bola Tinubu by the National Judicial Council, NJC as well as Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts.
Then President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ariwoola as acting CJN in June 2022 following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds. Ariwoola was subsequently sworn in October of the same year following his confirmation by the Senate.
Ariwoola was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. He was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 after having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.
He studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife and bagged his bachelor of laws degree with honours in July 1980. In July 1981, Ariwoola was called to the Bar and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor.
Ariwoola was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. He was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 after having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.
He studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife and bagged his bachelor of laws degree with honours in July 1980. In July 1981, Ariwoola was called to the Bar and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor.
What's Your Reaction?
