Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), officially retired on Thursday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. During his valedictory address at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, Justice Ariwoola announced the signing of the new Supreme Court Rules 2024, aimed at modernizing the judicial process to better address current challenges.
Reflecting on his two-year tenure as CJN, Justice Ariwoola expressed concerns about the outdated procedures that had governed the apex court for 39 years. These rules, established in 1985, predated significant technological advancements such as the internet and electronic transactions. While practice directions had been issued periodically to adapt to evolving demands, the substantive rules had remained unchanged.
“In 1985, when the Supreme Court Rules were made, information technology, electronic transactions, and global telecommunications were either non-existent or in their infancy. Such outdated rules are inadequate for today’s challenges,” Ariwoola remarked. Recognizing the need for reform, he formed a Rules Committee to undertake the comprehensive review of the 39-year-old rules and the various practice directions that had accumulated over the years. Earlier this month, Justice Ariwoola signed off on the new Supreme Court Rules 2024, under the authority of Section 236 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Justice Ariwoola emphasized the importance of having court procedures that are both dynamic and contemporary, capable of meeting the evolving needs of the legal profession. He expressed gratitude to his colleagues, including the incoming CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Justice Inyang Okoro, and Justice Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, for their dedication to the new rules. He also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).
Discussing the Supreme Court’s workload, Justice Ariwoola revealed that 1,124 cases were filed during the 2023/2024 legal year, which spanned from September 2023 to July 2024. These included 435 civil cases, 269 civil motions, 219 criminal cases, and 102 criminal motions. Additionally, despite the year not being an election year, 89 political appeals and 10 originating summonses were filed at the Supreme Court. During this period, the court delivered a total of 248 judgments and rulings, comprising 92 judgments in civil and originating summons cases, 81 judgments in criminal appeals, and 74 judgments in political appeals.
Recognizing the overwhelming burden on the Supreme Court, Justice Ariwoola highlighted the collaborative efforts between the National Judicial Institute, the Ministry of Justice, and the Nigerian Bar Association to host the Justice Sector Reform Summit in April. He expressed optimism that the decisions made at the summit would significantly benefit the justice sector.
