Justice Olukayode Ariwoola concluded his tenure as the 22nd Chief Justice of Nigeria on Thursday, retiring from his post upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 70 years.
As he gave his farewell address at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, Justice Ariwoola revealed that he had signed off on the Supreme Court Rules 2024 in the early part of August, to better address the present-day challenges faced by the judiciary and ensure that the court remains responsive to the changing times.
He further noted that, upon taking on the role of Chief Justice of Nigeria two years prior, he was struck by the outdated nature of the rules governing procedures in the Supreme Court, which had remained unchanged for nearly four decades. Having been implemented well before the advent of the internet and widespread use of electronic transactions, he viewed these rules as ill-equipped to meet the needs of a modern legal system.
The Justice stressed that, while practice directions had been issued from time to time over the years in an attempt to adapt to the changing landscape, the Supreme Court’s rules themselves had remained largely untouched since their initial implementation in 1985.
He said, “At the time the Supreme Court Rules 1985 were made, things that are now ubiquitous, like information technology, electronic transactions, and global telecommunication, were either not in existence or in their formative stages. How, could such outdated rules be adequate for today’s challenges?
“It was for this reason that I em-paneled a Rules Committee to undertake the arduous task of reviewing the 39-year-old rules and the numerous extant practice directions comprehensively.
“I am glad to report that earlier this month, pursuant to the provisions of Section 236 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; I signed off on the New Supreme Court Rules 2024.”
Justice Ariwoola emphasized the crucial role that rules of procedure play in the efficient operation of a court, noting that they must be dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of both legal practitioners and judges alike.
Ariwoola extended his gratitude to his fellow justices, particularly the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Justice Inyang Okoro, and Justice Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, for their unwavering dedication and commitment in the development and implementation of the new Supreme Court Rules 2024
Additionally, he acknowledged the vital role played by two key figures in the implementation of the new rules: Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), a prominent member of the Nigerian legal community, and Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Reflecting on the Supreme Court’s caseload during the 2023/2024 legal year, Justice Ariwoola revealed that the Court received an impressive total of 1,124 cases, spanning the nine-month period from September 2023 to July 2024
Of the total filings, 435 cases were in the civil category, encompassing matters such as contract disputes and tort claims, while 269 cases involved civil motions, addressing procedural and interlocutory issues. In addition, 219 cases fell into the criminal category, concerning allegations of wrongdoing and violations of law, and 102 cases involved criminal motions.
Despite the fact that the 2023/2024 legal year did not coincide with an election period, the Supreme Court still received a sizable number of politically-oriented appeals, totaling 89 cases. Furthermore, the Court handled 10 originating summons, a type of court filing that seeks to initiate legal proceedings to address a dispute or question of law.
He added, “During the same period, we delivered a total of 248 judgments and rulings, with 92 judgments in civil and originating summons cases, 81 judgments in criminal appeals, and 74 judgments in political appeals.”
Acknowledging the unsustainable burden placed on the Supreme Court by its large caseload, Justice Ariwoola pointed to 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 his optimism that the comprehensive and wide-ranging recommendations made during the Justice Sector Reform Summit would serve as a valuable guide in implementing meaningful changes within the justice system.
