August 22, (THEWILL) – Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Thursday, said the Supreme Court is being overburdened by too many cases which ordinarily would have terminated at the appellate court.
Speaking at a valedictory session held in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) said adequate measures must be put in place to reduce the burden on the apex 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.
Justice Ariwoola, who turned 70 on Thursday, August 22, 2024, was sworn in as substantive CJN in October 2022 after his confirmation by the Senate, following his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2022.
He was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. Before then, Ariwoola was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.
He studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife and bagged his bachelor of laws degree with honours in July 1980. In July 1981, Ariwoola was called to the Bar and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor.
THEWILL had reported that the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as the new CJN.
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