Justice Olukayode Ariwoola officially retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Thursday, August 22, 2024, marking the end of his distinguished judicial career.
During a valedictory session held in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja, Justice Ariwoola highlighted the pressing need for reforms to reduce the overwhelming burden on the apex court.
In his address, Justice Ariwoola emphasized that the Supreme Court is inundated with cases that should have been resolved at the appellate court level, thereby contributing to significant delays in the judicial process. He pointed out that the right to a fair hearing is compromised when litigants and lawyers have to wait several years for their cases to be adjudicated.
Justice Ariwoola called for the appointment of more judicial officers to ensure timely adjudication of cases and stressed the importance of implementing measures to streamline the number of cases reaching the Supreme Court.
The retirement event was attended by several dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who has been recommended by the National Judicial Council to succeed Justice Ariwoola as CJN. Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts were also present at the ceremony.
Following the valedictory session, a public presentation of the book Judging With Justice, written in honour of Justice Ariwoola, was held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Justice Ariwoola was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011, after serving as a Justice of the Court of Appeal from 2005 to 2011. His legal education began at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree with honours in July 1980. He was called to the Bar in July 1981.
Ariwoola was appointed acting CJN in June 2022 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds. He was confirmed and sworn in as CJN in October 2022.
