Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining its independence and impartiality in delivering justice.
During a workshop on “Judicial Independence and Judge Craft” held in Abuja on Monday, Ariwoola highlighted the importance of continuous capacity building for judges to meet societal expectations and uphold judicial integrity.
The CJN acknowledged the significant progress made in achieving judicial independence but emphasized the need for further efforts to overcome existing challenges. He pledged that the judiciary would strive for improvements to remain a robust, impartial, and independent arbiter of justice and the rule of law.
Ariwoola stressed that judges must enhance their legal expertise, dedication to justice, and ability to apply legal principles without fear or favor to restore public confidence in the judiciary. He reiterated that judicial independence and impartiality are essential for ensuring fair decisions based on facts and law, free from external influences or pressures.
“Ongoing and sustained effort are still required to address the challenges faced. We will not relent in seeking better options and actions that will ensure that the Nigerian judiciary remains a strong, impartial and independent arbiter of justice and the rule of law,” Justice Ariwoola said.
The CJN added that judges must boost their capacities as way of restoring confidence in the judiciary.
He said, “The act and science of judging requires deep and contextual understanding of the law, commitment to do justice and the innate ability to apply legal principles to complex and often vexatious issues without fear of favor.”
“I must also reiterate that the substantive requirements of judicial independence, judge craft and the art of judging are built around public expectations for judges to decide matters before them fairly impartially and on the basis of facts.”
“Such decisions must go in accordance with the law, without restrictions, improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interference, directly or indirectly, from any quarter of for any reason.”
