A Law Professor, Yemi Akinseye-George has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to swear in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) without further delay.
Justice Ariwoola has been on acting capacity since June 27, 2022, following the resignation of former CJN, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad.
The president had on July 26, 2022, forwarded his name to the Senate for confirmation, following recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
However, two weeks after his confirmation by the Senate, Buhari was yet to swear in Justice Ariwoola as substantive CJN, a development which was beginning to generate concerns particularly as the 2023 general elections draw nearer.
Speaking to journalists at a two-day workshop on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/ Laws, Professor Akinseye-George, wondered why the president was yet to swear in Ariwoola as substantive CJN.
“What is delaying the swearing -in of the Chief Justice of Nigeria? This matter should be attended to more urgently and we appeal to Mr. President to urgently swear in the new CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. He has been on acting capacity now for several months, that should not be, we appeal to the Attorney General of the Federation to draw the attention of Mr President to the fact that the Chief Justice of Nigeria needs to be sworn in expeditiously”, he said.
The senior lawyer, who is also the President of the Center for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), urged the CJN to immediately move for the appointment of more Justices into the bench of the apex court, which has seriously depleted in the last two years owing to retirements and death.
He advised heads of courts to recommend only the best just as he disagreed with the position of some lawyers that senior lawyers can also be appointed to the apex court bench.
“I personally do not subscribe to the idea of appointing legal practitioners to the Supreme Court because the culture of a judge is different from a practitioner, the upbringing of a practitioner is different from a judge. Any practitioner that wants to join the bench should start from the High Court”, the Law Professor added.
Currently there are only 13 Justices on the bench of the Supreme Court, including the acting CJN, a situation which is not too good for the general elections usually characterised by huge court cases.
