- Says Nigeria’s problems call for sincere and honest interventions of judicial officers
- Law teacher tells CJN to hold judiciary leaders and members responsible for rot in the judiciary
Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has reassured Nigerians of his commitment to his judicial oath and to upholding the best standards in Nigeria’s judiciary.
Hon. Justice Ariwoola who was sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa on 12 October as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, also appealed to politicians to allow the judiciary to function properly as the 2023 elections draw nearer.
Commending his appointment, Chief Yomi Alliyu SAN, who expressed confidence that Justice Ariwoola would discharge his duties equitably noted that: “For the second time in half a decade we have justices from the private bar, the last being my lord Hon. Justice Onnoghen.”
Addressing State House Correspondents after the ceremony, the CJN said: “I give all the glory to God and I believe the Lord that has taken me this far, will continue to support me to do the best for Nigerians and as I said on the 27th of June when I was sworn-in in an acting capacity, I shall not let Nigerians down because with the support of my brother justices. Like you can see all of them are here with me, as they were when I was sworn-in in acting capacity, with their support, we shall not fail Nigerians. We shall make progress and advance the judiciary of Nigeria to benefit, not only the common man, all men, and women.”
On the 2023 elections Ariwoola said: “Politicians should allow the judiciary to function. Law is not static and that’s why you have seen that the National Assembly continued to amend the laws and it is the laws that the courts apply to the facts available. We shall continue to do justice if only Nigerians will allow us to perform and function without any pressure.”
He further gave insight into some reforms at the apex court. “We are computerising the Supreme Court already, and all other courts of records. So, the delay in filing cases will become a thing of the past. We’re creating e-filing, we are creating e-diary so that lawyers can stay in the comfort of their chambers and contact the court, address the court by zoom. Computerization is already taking place, not only in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and other courts of record in Nigeria.”
In another development, the CJN, while swearing in Justice Stanley Adekunle Lawal as the newly appointed Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja noted that the myriad of problems plaguing the country call for sincere and honest interventions of judicial officers.
“We hear of corruptions of various forms, killings, kidnappings, armed robbery, banditry and all forms of terrorism against the state and individual citizens”, The CJN said.
Ariwoola who pointed out that most often, these cases find their way to the court for the right and proper adjudication and charged Justice Lawal to adhere strictly to the code of conduct for judicial officers in carrying out his duties.
He added that the oath of office taken by Justice Lawal, “was a mandatory exercise required to align the conscience of our Judicial Officers with good conduct, fear of God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to which we have all solemnly sworn to uphold under any condition.”
Justice Ariwoolaa charged the newly appointed Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal to represent the interest and crystalize the image of the Nigerian Judiciary by doing justice to all matters that come before him.
“A lure with unmerited material possessions will not only weaken your reputation but equally impair your sense of judgment. That is not my wish for your Lordship anyway. However, you should always be very careful and vigilant too. In everything you do in the course of adjudicating, you must consult your God, the Constitution and your conscience.
“Always have at the back of your mind, as I believe you had always, that at every point of your life, someone somewhere is right behind you and taking note of all your conduct.
“We often hear of all manners of underhand dealings by some judicial officers, especially at the lowest rung of the ladder. I will like your Lordship to remember that destiny has placed this enormous responsibility on your shoulders to lead your brother Judges and the entire staff of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory”.
He told Justice Lawal not to fail or falter, as Nigeria is earnestly and passionately looking for a crop of judicial officers who will be role models that can confidently hoist the banner of honesty, integrity, and uprightness.
“You must endeavour to prove your adjudicatory and administrative ingenuity to earn a lasting reputation in the annals of the Nigerian Judiciary”, he said.
But reacting to the CJN’s call for politicians to stop interfering with the work of judges, Law Teacher at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Sylvester Udemezue said “the call is first and foremost for the judiciary. Members of the judiciary are first among the major reasons the judiciary doesn’t work.
“If judges decide that the judiciary will work, the judiciary would start working. Blaming others for the judiciary’s self-imposed wahala is play-to-the-gallery, with due respect to you, my Lord the respected CJN.
“Put your house in order; get your men to sit up. Anyone who is not ready for the job should quit. Hold judiciary leaders and members responsible for much of the rot in the judiciary. Leave politicians alone; if you don’t welcome ‘pressure’ from politicians, politicians won’t put ‘pressure’ on you.
“For God’s sake, when shall our judges and courts realize they’re the greatest obstacle to the effective administration of justice in Nigeria? Until they realize this, things won’t change!”
