Justice Olukayode Ariwoola officially retired from his role as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Thursday, August 22, 2024, bringing to a close a distinguished career in the judiciary.
At a valedictory session held in his honor at the Supreme Court in Abuja, Justice Ariwoola addressed the need for significant reforms to address the heavy caseload burdening the apex court. He highlighted the issue of cases being elevated to the Supreme Court that should have been resolved at the appellate court level, leading to prolonged delays and compromising the right to a fair hearing.
Justice Ariwoola advocated for the appointment of additional judicial officers to expedite case resolutions and emphasized the importance of measures to reduce the number of cases reaching the Supreme Court.
The retirement ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who has been recommended by the National Judicial Council to succeed Ariwoola as CJN. Justices from the Supreme and Appeal Courts were also present.
A public presentation of the book Judging With Justice, written in honor of Justice Ariwoola, followed the valedictory session at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Justice Ariwoola's judicial journey began at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in July 1980 and was called to the Bar in July 1981. He was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2011, following a tenure as a Justice of the Court of Appeal from 2005 to 2011. He became acting CJN in June 2022 and was formally confirmed and sworn in as CJN in October 2022, succeeding Justice Tanko Muhammad.
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