The Chief Justice of Nigerian (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has vowed to deal ruthlessly with errant and controversial judges who are fond of giving what he called an “unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgments”.
He insisted that, “your conduct and disposition must tally with the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of the citizenry”.
Justice Ariwoola handed down the warning on Wednesday in Abuja when he swore in 22 newly appointed justices of the Appeal Court, urging them to remain steadfast in their commitment to integrity and uphold the highest standards of justice in their duties within the hallowed halls of the judiciary.
He said, “I have made it known at different fora that we have been treated to an unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgments as well as frivolous interlocutory orders emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdictions, which have literally attempted to make a mockery of our judicial system and flagrantly desecrate the revered Temple of Justice”.
He added that the process of sanctioning “despicable and odious conducts” has begun.
“As judicial officers, we have to continually remind ourselves that we are not occupying our respective positions to serve ourselves but the Nigerian masses and the best way we can serve them is by doing what will make them feel safe in our hands and also trust us to always deliver the right judgments that will not be tainted by sentiments, emotions, or other clandestine considerations”.
Though Justice Ariwoola did not mention any particular judge, some judges have acquired notoriety for giving judgements that are as controversial as their names and always delivering judgments that are, in Justice Ariwoola’s words, “an embarrassment to our jurisprudence”.
The warning is coming against the backdrop of last week’s judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo in a case in which some individuals claiming to be delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State took the party to court. The judgment has since stirred unprecedented controversy with nobody agreeing with the other as to what could be the exact import of the judgement.
In May, the National Judicial Council issued warning letters to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court; Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of the Delta State High Court and Justice Amina Shehu of the Yobe State High Court
The trio were found guilty of different degrees of misconduct, during the 105th plenary meeting of the council, held between 15 and 16 May 2024; under the Chairmanship of Justice Ariwoola.
The council’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, revealed this in a statement dated 16 May 2024. Ekwo and Brikins-Okolosi were barred from elevation to a higher Bench for two years and three years, respectively.
