- Chief Justice Ariwoola emphasized that the primary duty of the newly inaugurated Court of Appeal justices is to serve the people rather than themselves
- Ariwoola urged the judges to deliver judgments free from sentiments, emotions, or any clandestine considerations, ensuring fairness and justice
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, emphasized to the newly inaugurated Court of Appeal justices that their primary duty is to serve the people rather than themselves. At the inauguration of 22 judges of the Court of Appeal and 12 for the FCT High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, Justice Ariwoola highlighted the importance of making the public feel safe and trusted through their service.
Ariwoola urged the judges to deliver judgments free from sentiments, emotions, or clandestine considerations, ensuring fairness and justice. He noted that the number of justices sworn in for the Court of Appeal is the highest since the 18 justices were inaugurated on June 28, 2021, and the 12 were inaugurated on November 5, 2012.
“Today’s ceremony indicates the perilous times that we are currently in, which has resulted in an upsurge in litigation,” he stated. “Several unfathomable crimes are being committed in the country, aside from the usual political matters that have made litigations to rise. No court in the land is spared of this litigation deluge, as it were. We are constantly on our toes, and our dockets are ever-increasing in response to the challenges of the times. This underscores that Nigeria is fast emerging as a frontline crime-infested country that we all must urgently curtail.”
The CJN also advised the newly inaugurated FCT High Court judges to align themselves with the realities of their current positions, as society will have high expectations of them. He cautioned, “There is nothing we have not seen or heard before, but Your Lordships should be ready to see and hear more strange things during your adjudication.”
Justice Ariwoola’s remarks serve as a reminder of the judiciary’s critical role in upholding justice and maintaining public trust in Nigeria.