Don't Tarnish Judiciary's Image, CJN Urges Judges

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola

Judges are urged by CJN to go above and beyond to support your appointments, don't damage the judiciary's image

The CJN specifically advised judges to base their decisions and rulings on laws and regulations and cautioned against trying to influence anyone, regardless of status.

As the Federal High Court's 2023 Conference of Judges got underway at the court's Abuja headquarters, Ariwoola issued the stern message.

He said, “Go the extra mile to justify your appointments and do not create loopholes that could tarnish the image and reputation of the Court.

“Do not attempt to convince anybody, no matter how highly placed, but always consult laws and rules before writing your judgments and rulings.

“Always write judgments that the Court of Appeal will have no option but to affirm. Being a judge is not child's play, particularly in your Court, where you don't sit on a panel. You sit all alone.”

In addition, Ariwoola warned Nigerian Federal High Court judges not to minimize the importance of their appointments. He underlined that the Federal High Court is in a unique position as the biggest and most prestigious court in the nation.

Read: SUPREME COURT: Tension In The Judiciary Over Justice Nominations

Ariwoola also emphasized that the Court has national exclusive jurisdiction over matters pertaining to elections. He gave the warning as part of his speech to the judges at the Federal High Court's Abuja headquarters during the opening of the 2023 Conference of Judges.

“For the reasons I have just enumerated, I charge you not to take your appointments for granted. You must work harder to justify the appointments by always coming up with judgments and decisions that would not be rejected by the Appellate Courts,” he said.

Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Court, thought back to the time the Court was first established fifty years ago in Lagos, with just one courtroom and five judges. He mentioned the astounding rise to 95 judges and 37 divisions in the present day.

The induction and deployment of the 23 recently appointed judges to improve the Court's performance across its divisions was also mentioned by Justice Tsoho.