Abuja (Core Reporters) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has stated that the Supreme Court of Nigeria is overburdened. He made a call for measures to be put in place to reduce the burden on the apex court of the country.
Retired Justice Ariwoola, made thus known on Thursday at a valedictory session in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja as he retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),
He said there are too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the appellate court.
He said 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.
Justice Ariwoola explained that the right to a fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard
He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.
Vice President Kashim Shettima was among dignitaries who attended the public presentation of a book titled, ‘Judging With Justice’, written in Ariwoola’s honour.
The event was held at the International Conference Centre Abuja, a few hours after the official retirement of Justice Ariwoola.
Guests 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, as well as Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts.
Then President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ariwoola as acting CJN in June 2022 following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds. Ariwoola was subsequently sworn in October of the same year following his confirmation by the Senate.
Recall that Ariwoola was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. 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.
