The Supreme Court of Nigeria has marked its 2023/2024 legal year, swearing in fifty-eight (58) Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, during the ceremony promised Nigerians a formidable Judiciary.
“The Supreme Court will for the very first time in history get the constitutionally prescribed full complement of twenty-one (21) justices.
“Our courts should be trusted at home and abroad for the high level of respect for the rule of law and the institutional and personal independence of our Judiciary,” the CJN said while expressing the determination of the Judiciary.
Justice Ariwoola believes that the trust reposed in the Nigerian courts will serve as a factor in the attraction of Nigeria as a destination for investment.
Rule of Law
The CJN while speaking on the rule of law assured that, as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, he will do everything possible to prioritize the rule of law and the independence of Judiciary.
“We are poised to reposition it for effective justice delivery to make our beloved country a destination of note in the observance of the rule law and tenets of constitutionalism,” he stressed.
The CJN, while reminding justices at all levels of the tasks of achieving socio-economic justice for the people, called on them to exhibit integrity, morality and good behaviour.
“If a judicial officer is found to be corrupt, then he cannot be allowed to hold such a divine chair of a judge.
“Judges owe the society a great duty of always deciding without fear of favour, affection or ill will,” he emphasized.
Justice Ariwoola reminded judges that public opinions, sentiments, or emotions should never take the place of the law in deciding cases before them.
“The law remains the law, no matter whose interest is involved,” he stated.
251 Judgements Between 2022 – 2023
The CJN announced that the Supreme Court delivered 251 judgements between September 2022 and 11th July 2023, out of which 125 were political, 81 were civil and 45 were criminal appeals.
He urged Nigerians to be less litigious by embracing alternative dispute resolutions to avoid overburdening the courts with cases.
The CJN informed the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to consider their elevation as a new responsibility, urging them to watch their utterances and actions as they assume the role of ministers of the court.
Also, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the representative of body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria; and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Maikyau, congratulated the new SANs and urged them to display integrity and assist the court in attaining justice.
