By Busari Kabirat
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had on Thursday bowed out of service as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), calling on the government to put measures in place to reduce the Supreme Court’s burden, stating that there are too many cases which ought to have been sorted at the appeal court but still come on the table of the apex court which is resulting as a burden to it.
Justice Ariwoola made this known during the valedictory service at the Supreme Court in Abuja, in his honour where he said that accessing the justice has largely resulted to the delay in the hearing of cases as lawyers together with its litigants are forced to wait for so many years to decide their cases.
He also made it known that to have a fair hearing, it can only be guaranteed when litigants together with their lawyers do not have to wait for a long time to have their cases heard, likewise the need for more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters as soon as possible.
Things to know about Justice Olukayode Ariwoola:
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was born on August 22, 1954 and turned 70 years today.
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.
He was called to the Bar In July 1981 and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor.
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 and was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011.
He was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as acting CJN in June 2022, after which he was sworn in October 2022, following his confirmation by the Senate and after the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds.
The event was held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Guests present 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, likewise Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts.
Among dignitaries who attended was Vice President Kashim Shettima in respect of the public presentation of a book titled, ‘Judging With Justice’, written in Ariwoola’s honour.
