In Abuja, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, stressed that the law should prevail over public sentiments and emotions in handling court matters.
At a gathering to mark the start of the 2023/2024 Legal Year and swearing-in of 58 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Justice Ariwoola emphasized the necessity for the judiciary’s independence from external influences.
Expressing concern about the judiciary’s struggle for financial independence, he highlighted the need for the judiciary to operate without intimidation from other government branches to maintain its integrity.
Despite acknowledging past challenges in upholding the rule of law since 1999, he praised the judiciary’s performance in 2023. He advocated for a judiciary that earns public trust, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the rule of law and judicial independence.
Additionally, Justice Ariwoola urged judges to decide cases without being swayed by public opinions or emotions and emphasized the significance of integrity among judicial officers.
Addressing the workload of the Supreme Court, he proposed a constitutional amendment to reduce the number of cases reaching the highest court. Furthermore, Justice Ariwoola assured the appointment of additional justices to reach a total of 21 in the Supreme Court. Regarding election disputes, he urged aggrieved litigants with evidence against tribunal judges to report such matters to the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, cautioned the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) against engaging in media trials, stressing the importance of upholding the doctrine of subjudice.
Criticism arose from various quarters in response to Justice Ariwoola’s statements. Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and civil society organizations expressed dissatisfaction, questioning the judiciary’s integrity due to recent court decisions in election matters.
They voiced concerns over judicial pronouncements that seemingly contradict the law and constitution. Civil society leaders raised worries about declining public confidence in the judiciary and criticized the perceived commercialization of court verdicts.
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Moreover, they called for greater transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law within the judiciary. There were criticisms of the CJN’s remarks and his response to valid concerns, highlighting the need for judicial officers to be receptive to criticism and maintain humility in their duties.
These criticisms echoed the call for the judiciary to restore public trust by ensuring decisions adhere to legal principles, thus preserving the sanctity of the justice system in Nigeria.
