Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Thursday, expressed concerns about the Supreme Court’s overwhelming caseload. He emphasized that many cases before the apex court should have been resolved at the appellate court level.
Ariwoola stressed that the delay in hearing cases undermines the right to a fair hearing, as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for years for their cases to be decided. He also highlighted the importance of increasing the number of judicial officers to ensure timely adjudication of cases.
Ariwoola was appointed as acting CJN in June 2022 and confirmed by the Senate in October of the same year. He has been recommended for replacement by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who has been nominated by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment as the new CJN by President Bola Tinubu.
