Immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has said the decision to write the story of his life and time as a judicial officer in a book is to make Nigerians know that anyone can reach his peak not minding the person’s background.
This was part of Ariwoola’s remarks at the public presentation of his autobiography written by a lawyer and author, Mr Olanrewaju Akinsola.
His remarks came as President Bola Tinubu extolled Ariwoola’s virtue, describing him as an epitome of excellence stating that “his sojourn on the bench was a testament to the reward for hard work, dedication and service to Nigeria and humanity”.
The book, ‘Judging with Justice: The Autobiography of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’, was formally presented at the International Conference Centre in Abuja to mark his 70th birthday and his formal retirement from office as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Ariwoola, who thanked almighty God, his family and those who have helped him in one way or the other to reach the pick of his career, noted that the book presented was not published to raise money but to put the story of his humble beginning and what he was able to achieve into writing for others to read and gain from.
He called on all authorities, institutions and members of the Bar and Bench particularly at the Supreme Court of Nigeria to extend their unwavering support to the new Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for the betterment of the country.
Born on 22 August 1954, Justice Ariwoola was elevated to the Supreme Court on 22 November 2011 and was appointed substantive CJN on 27 June 2022, following the resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad.
The Senate formally confirmed him as the Chief Justice of Nigeria on 21 September 2022.
President Tinubu who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the occasion said: ”His Lordship’s long and inspiring career on the bench is a testament to the reward for hard work, dedication, and selfless service to the nation and humanity.
“As Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Justice Ariwoola has used his vast experience and capacity to address the challenges facing the Supreme Court and the Nigerian judiciary”, the President said.
Recalling the reforms and advancements in the administration of justice during Justice Ariwoola’s tenure, including an increase in the retirement age for judges and other judicial officers to 65-70 years, President Tinubu said: “As Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Justice Ariwoola has used his vast experience and capacity to address the challenges facing the Supreme Court and the Nigerian judiciary.
“The pensions of judicial officers have been fairly secured as retired judges will now enjoy their full pay as their pension for life. Incisive judgements that provide extensive societal reforms, such as the one that recently liberated the local government councils from the shackles of financial lack, are critical to our society’s growth and development”.
He noted that the former CJN’s career was a sterling example of what hard work, dedication, and a passion for public service stand for.
“From humble beginnings at the Local Authority Demonstration School in Iseyin, Oyo State, to the launch of his career as a law officer at the Oyo State Ministry of Justice and now as a leading figure in the judiciary, his story inspires us all.
“The vastness of His Lordship’s academic and professional career is not in doubt. His Lordship’s commitment to the ideals of a just and fair society can also not be overemphasised.
“We have seen this in his exemplary leadership of the Judiciary, and I am thankful for the support the judiciary has extended to the growth and development of our dear country”, he added.
President Tinubu said as President, he was happy to witness these laudable achievements in the nation’s judiciary under the leadership of the outgoing CJN, even as he implored the third arm of government to live up to its constitutional mandate and not be perturbed by critics who always fume whenever they don’t get a favourable judgment.
“I hope his (Justice Ariwoola’s) successor in office will carry on the baton passed on by His Lordship. I urge the Nigerian judiciary to live up to its constitutional mandate and ignore those who never see anything good in the Judiciary unless the pendulum of justice swings their way.
“I am hopeful that as His Lordship retires into other endeavours, his successors will continue to deliver on the ideals of justice and improve the standards set by Honourable Justice Ariwoola, GCON.
“As Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Justice Ariwoola has used his vast experience and capacity to address the challenges facing the Supreme Court and the Nigerian judiciary,” the President said.
Wishing Justice Ariwoola a happy retirement and more success in his future endeavours, he expressed hope that “his legacy inspires us to strive for excellence and justice in our public service”.
Earlier, the acting Chief Justice of the apex court, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, shared her experience working closely with Justice Ariwoola, invoking a quote from James Baikie’s “Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Rome”.
“When a nation becomes great, it is never by ferocity or falseness, but always by something in the nation that is good and sterling. We have in the person of Justice Ariwoola a living embodiment of these qualities”, the new CJN stated.
She said, a foray into His Lordship’s autobiography, “paints a clear picture of his journey and the various influences that have contributed to the man he is today. A quality that stands out clearly is his abiding faith in the Almighty Creator.
“With a combination of discipline, forthrightness, foresight, intellectual prowess, an all-inclusive vision for advancement, coupled with an unmistakable passion for judicial reforms, His Lordship has made immense contributions to the growth and stability of the Nigerian Judiciary. I have no doubt that these contributions, which have been etched in the sands of time, will continue to be remembered for years to come.
“And so today, I join my brother Justices of the Supreme Court, the Nigerian Judiciary and indeed the whole nation in celebrating greatness and excellence and commending a pacesetter who has donated thirty-two (32) rich years of meritorious service to the Bench and who has distinguished himself in many ways”, She added.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was not left out in highlighting Ariwoola’s significant contributions, particularly his role in the recent Judicial Office Holders Salaries and Allowances Act 2024.
Wike said: “This landmark achievement reflects his deep commitment to ensuring that the judiciary is independent, well-resourced and motivated”.
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), commended Ariwoola’s leadership, saying, “Your chairmanship has witnessed unprecedented stability in the justice sector, and because of your focused leadership, Nigeria has emerged more united.
“I am delighted that our country has continued to weather the political storms as a result of the collective will of all Nigerians to make a success of our democracy”, he added.
Emphasising the book’s title as a potential creed for all judges, Gen. Abubakar asked every judge to ask themselves, ‘Have I judged with justice?’ He said the book should be a guiding principle for everyone, no matter their profession.
Book reviewer and President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Benedict Bawaph Kanyip, noted that the autobiography primarily focuses on Justice Ariwoola’s background and guiding principles.
Kanyip noted that a key theme of the book is that “the only client a judge has is justice”.
Other dignitaries at the occasion extolled the virtues of the retired Chief Justice, while wishing him well in retirement.
Those present at the event included the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, representatives of governors of Ebonyi State and others; President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; Chief Judges of some states Attorneys-General of States; Senior Members of the Bench and Bar; Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, among others.
