President Bola Tinubu has called on the Nigerian judiciary to uphold its constitutional duties and resist criticism from those who only support the judiciary when rulings favor them.
The President made this appeal through Vice President Kashim Shettima during the public presentation of the autobiography “Judging With Justice,” authored by the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, held at the International Conference Centre Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the importance of the judiciary in maintaining justice and urged judicial officers to ignore detractors who undermine the judiciary’s role unless decisions go their way.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
The President also highlighted recent reforms, noting that the pensions of judicial officers have been secured, allowing retired justices to receive their last salaries as their pension for life.
The event was chaired by former Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar, and was attended by prominent figures, including Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who has been recommended to succeed Justice Ariwoola, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, the Ooni of Ife, as well as Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts.
Earlier, in a statement issued by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu congratulated Justice Ariwoola on his retirement, praising his contributions to Nigerian jurisprudence and his leadership in strengthening the nation’s legal system.
The President however extended his appreciation to the retired CJN and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Justice Ariwoola had served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2022 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He had also served the nation in diverse capacities as a judicial officer.
President Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on Friday, August 23, 2024.
