Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Wednesday, admonished judges to refrain from bringing dishonor to the judiciary arm of the government.
He cautioned them against attempting to influence anyone, regardless of their stature, emphasizing the importance of consulting laws and rules before crafting judgments and rulings.
These comments were made by the Chief Justice of Nigeria during the commencement of the 2023 Conference of Judges of the Federal High Court, which took place at the Court’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said, ‘Go the extra mile to justify your appointments and do not create loopholes that could tarnish the image and reputation of the Court.’
‘Do not attempt to convince anybody, no matter how highly placed, but always consult laws and rules before writing your judgments and rulings.’
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‘Always write judgments that the Court of Appeal will have no option but to affirm. Being a judge is not child’s play, particularly in your court, where you don’t sit on a panel. You sit all alone.’
‘Go the extra mile to justify the appointments and do not create loopholes that could tarnish the image and reputation of the court.’
Additionally, he cautioned judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria not to take their appointments to the bench for granted, stressing the importance of fulfilling their duties diligently.
He pointed out to the judges that the Federal High Court is not only the largest and most esteemed in the country but also the sole court with exclusive originating jurisdiction over election-related matters in Nigeria.
‘For the reasons I have just enumerated, I charge you not to take your appointments for granted. You must work harder to justify the appointments by always coming up with judgments and decisions that would not be rejected by the Appellate Courts,’ he said.
Reflecting on the court’s founding 50 years ago, Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho highlighted its humble beginnings with a single courtroom and five judges in Lagos. Over time, it has grown to encompass 37 divisions with 95 judges.
The 23 Judges recently appointed to enhance the court’s efficiency, as noted by Justice Tsoho, have undergone induction and are now deployed to various Divisions.