The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has retired from service following his attainment of 70 years retirement age.
Ariwoola, was elevated to the bench of Supreme Court, on November 22, 2011, while he was appointed substantive CJN on June 27, 2022.
A valedictory court session was also held in his honour at the Supreme Court, on Thursday.
While speaking at the session, Ariwoola called for measures to be put in place to reduce the burden on the Supreme Court.
He explained that there are too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the appellate court.
According to him, access to justice has 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.
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 How, then, could such outdated rules be adequate for today’s challenges?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.”
Justice Ariwoola, speaking on the Supreme Court’s workload, noted that a total of 1,124 cases were filed in the 2023/2024 legal year, which commenced in September 2023 and ended in July 2024.
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 added, “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.”
He was born on 22 August 1954, and was appointed CJN by the former president Muhammadu Buhari after the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad
Justice Ariwoola was formally confirmed CJN by the Nigerian Senate on 21 September 2022.
Ariwoola is leaving the office of the CJN after two years of manning the helm of affairs at the country’s third arm of government and 13 years on the bench of the apex court in Nigeria.
The retired Chief Justice is likely to be succeeded by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun being the most senior justice in the apex court, after the National Judicial Council, NJC has recommended her.
In his appreciation, the retired Chief Justice thanked his fellow justices: the incoming CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Justice Inyang Okoro; and Justice Moronkeji Ogunwumiju for their dedication and commitment to the new rules.
He also acknowledged Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) for their contribution.
