The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has revealed that the Supreme Court received 1,271 motions and appeals between September 2022 and July 2023, News About Nigeria reports.
Ariwoola further explained that, out of the motions received, the apex court heard 388 political appeals, 215 criminal appeals, and 464 civil appeals.
The CJN made these statements during a special court session held in Abuja on Monday, marking a new legal year and the swearing-in ceremony of new senior advocates of Nigeria. He also disclosed that there were a total of 251 judgments from the Apex court.
Ariwoola charged judicial officers to work hard, be honest, humble, and impartial while discharging their duties.
He enjoined them to be aware that public opinions, sentiments, or emotions can never take the place of the law in deciding the cases that come before the court.
According to him, the law remains the law, regardless of whose interest is involved. As interpreters of the law, judicial officials must always differentiate their emotions from logic and assumption from fact. They should never be overwhelmed by the actions or loud voices of the public, even if the judgment is not in their favour.
Ariwoola also advocated for statutory protection for judicial independence at both the federal and state levels in the nation.
Ariwoola previously served as a justice in the Nigerian Courts of Appeal before being designated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria on November 22, 2011.
Also speaking at the event, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, called for innovative ways to reduce the number of appeals that reach the Supreme Court.
