The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Thursday, bowed out from the Supreme Court after serving the statutory years in the legal profession.
Announcing his retirement, Ariwoola called for measures to be put in place to reduce the burden on the Supreme Court.
The former CJN explained that there are too many cases before the apex court. He noted that some of the cases that found their way to the Supreme Court, ought to have terminated at the appellate court.
Justice Ariwoola stated this at a valedictory session in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, he said access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases. This is even as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.
He explained that the right to a fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard.
The former CJN, therefore, stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.
Recall that Ariwoola was appointed acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN by then President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022. His appointment came following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds in June 2023.
Ariwoola was subsequently sworn in as CJN in October, 2023 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. This was after been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.
The former CJN 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 turned 70 today, August 22, 2024.
source: Channels TV
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