CJN guarantees a vigorous judiciary before retirement

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has criticized the work ethics of some court personnel, citing questionable judgments and the use of interlocutory orders.

This came as he vowed to leave a strong and profitable judiciary before retiring in August of this year.

The CJN made this known during his keynote lecture on Monday at the Court of Appeal’s Two-Day Workshop for the Review of the 2023 Election Petition Tribunals/Court and Appeals, which was held in Abuja.

The CJN fumed that the activities of some court personnel create a mockery of the country’s justice system, and those found guilty will face consequences.

He said, “We have been treated to an unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgments as well as frivolous interlocutory orders emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdiction which attempts to make a mockery of our judicial system.

“This is largely an embarrassment to our jurisprudence, and we will not take it lying low. Punitive measures must be taken against such erring judges.”

The CJN noted that as he prepares for his retirement which is due in August, it is his “desire to bequeath a robust and prosperous Judiciary that will be the pride of not only Nigerians but the African continent.”

He advised judicial personnel not to engage in activity that is considered unprofessional.
He threatened that anyone who behaved in this manner would not only be shown the way out, but would also be forced to face the repercussions.

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, president of the Court of Appeal, underlined the importance of the exercise and the arduous and challenging role of the 2023 election tribunal judges.

She noted that a large number of judges were removed from the judicial system and assigned to the electoral process.

She continued, “This workshop is important because we are dedicated, we are committed to ensuring that our electoral process is seamless.”

She urged for changes to the Nigerian constitution and electoral regulations.

She cited sections 187 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999, as well as sections 233, 246, and paragraph 285 of the Electoral Act of 2022, as examples of areas that would require legislative review in preparation for the 2027 general election.

“Section 285, I think, in the process, is rather poor draftsmanship or so.”

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, praised the review procedure, noting that the court plays a stabilizing role in the nation’s election process.

He went on to say, “The Court of Appeal, in particular, plays a more pivotal role in shaping and strengthening our electoral jurisprudence by exercising its constitutional mandate in this regard.”

He emphasized that the workshop is critical to Nigeria’s democracy because it provides a platform for reviewing the strengths and challenges of court procedures linked with the previous electoral cycle.

He stated that the “findings and recommendations will provide appropriate guidance for stakeholders going forward to the next electoral cycle.”