Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has bowed out of service as he attained the retirement age, paving way for a fresh hand at the helm of Judicial affairs.
It will be recalled that former Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ariwoola as acting CJN in June 2022, following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds.
Ariwoola was subsequently sworn in October of the same year following his confirmation by the Senate.
However, the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, at a valedictory session in his honor at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Thursday advocated the need for measures to be put in place to reduce the burden on the Supreme Court.
He explained that there are too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the appellate court.
He said access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.
Justice Ariwoola explained that the right to a fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard.
He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.
