Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has strongly condemned the proliferation of conflicting and misleading judgments issued by courts of coordinate jurisdictions in Nigeria. During the swearing-in ceremony of 22 new judges to the Court of Appeal Bench on Wednesday, he emphasized that the National Judicial Council (NJC) is taking steps to address this issue and ensure that errant judges face consequences for their actions.
Justice Ariwoola expressed his concerns about the increasing number of frivolous interlocutory orders from various courts, which he believes are damaging the integrity of the judicial system. He stated, “I have frequently highlighted that the judiciary has been plagued by an unacceptable array of misleading and contradictory judgments, along with frivolous interlocutory orders from courts of coordinate jurisdictions. These actions have brought ridicule to our judicial system and tarnished the sanctity of the Temple of Justice.”
He continued, “There are numerous instances of such cases throughout the country. This situation is a significant embarrassment to our legal framework, and we will not take it lightly. Consequently, punitive measures will be imposed on those erring judges. The process to hold such judges accountable for their unacceptable behavior is already underway.”
Justice Ariwoola reminded the new judicial officers of their duty to serve the Nigerian public with fairness, impartiality, and integrity. “As Judicial Officers, it is imperative to remember that our roles are to serve the Nigerian public, not ourselves. The best way to serve the public is by ensuring that our judgments are fair, impartial, and free from any form of bias or undue influence,” he said.
The CJN’s remarks underscore the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining the credibility and reliability of the legal system in Nigeria.
