Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola who retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria having clocked 70 on Thursday told a crowded Supreme Court ceremonial hall that access to justice 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.
Speaking at his valedictory session at the apex court in Abuja, Ariwoola who explained that there are too many cases before the apex court which should have ended at the Court of Appeal added 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.
Ariwoola who has handed the baton to Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as CJN stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.
Expressing concern on the Supreme Court’s workload, the former CJN said a total of 1,124 cases were filed in the 2023/2024 legal year, which commenced in September 2023 and ended in July 2024.
Out of these, 435 were civil cases, 269 were civil motions, 219 were criminal cases, and 102 were criminal motions.
Additionally, although the year was not an election year, 89 political appeals were filed at the apex court, along with 10 originating summons.
He pointed out that: “During the same period, we delivered a total of 248 judgments and rulings, with 92 judgments in civil and originating summons cases, 81 judgments in criminal appeals, and 74 judgments in political appeals.”
Justice Ariwoola noted that the realisation of the need to reduce the undue burden on the Supreme Court led to the collaboration between the National Judicial Institute, the Ministry of Justice, and the Nigerian Bar Association to host the Justice Sector Reform Summit in April.
On some of his achievements, he said: “At the time the Supreme Court Rules 1985 were made, things that are now ubiquitous, like information technology, electronic transactions, and global telecommunication, were either not in existence or in their formative stages. How, then, could such outdated rules be adequate for today’s challenges?
“It was for this reason that I empaneled a Rules Committee to undertake the arduous task of reviewing the 39-year-old rules and the numerous extant practice directions comprehensively.
“I am glad to report that earlier this month, pursuant to the provisions of Section 236 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, I signed off on the New Supreme Court Rules 2024.”
Ariwoola expressed his belief that the rules of procedure of any court are crucial for its operation and must be dynamic and contemporary to meet the evolving demands of both the bar and the bench.
Vice President Kashim Shettima was among dignitaries who attended the public presentation of a book titled, ‘Judging With Justice’, written in Ariwoola’s honour.
The event was held at the International Conference Centre Abuja, a few hours after the official retirement of Justice Ariwoola.
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.
Former 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.
Completely break up the courts with the objective to achieve speed of Justice , and go back to look at CJN Dahiru Musdapher Reform report and simply adopt it with upgrades and once decision to engage in transformational reform is reached it’s implementation must be swift and within 6 months without doing endless valueless conferences Dr Olisa Agbakoba