Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Thursday, urging the implementation of measures to alleviate the burden on the Supreme Court.
He noted that the apex court is handling too many cases that should have been resolved at the appellate level.
Speaking at a valedictory session held in his honor at the Supreme Court in Abuja, Justice Ariwoola highlighted that the backlog of cases, driven by broad access to justice, has led to significant delays, forcing litigants and lawyers to wait years for resolutions.
He emphasized that the right to a fair hearing is only upheld when cases are heard without undue delay and called for an increase in the number of judicial officers to expedite the adjudication process.
The session was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other dignitaries, followed by the public presentation of a book titled Judging With Justice, written in honor of Justice Ariwoola. The event took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, shortly after his official retirement.
Guests at the occasion include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who was recommended to President Bola Tinubu by the National Judicial Council to take over from Justice Ariwoola, 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.
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011, following his tenure as a Justice of the Court of Appeal from 2005 to 2011. Prior to that, he served as a judge at the State High Court of Oyo State.
He earned his law degree with honors from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in July 1980 and was called to the Bar in July 1981, officially enrolling at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor.
Today, August 22, 2024, marks Justice Ariwoola’s 70th birthday.