By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Judges have been charged to deliver their judgements in such a way that the appellate court will affirm them and not upturn them.
The charge was given to judges by the
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Wednesday December 13 while declaring open the 39th Annual Federal High Court Judges’ Conference 2023 and 50th anniversary lectures.
The ceremony was held inside Ukeje Hall of the Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja.
The Chief Justice who described the Federal High Court as best of all the Federal Courts reminded the judges that they are not there to impress anyone but to deliver their rulings without any threat.
” To be a judge is certainly not a child’s play”
“You are not sitting as a panel. You sit as a lone ranger”
“You are not there to impress anyone at all. Make relevant consultations and deliver your ruling without any threat” the CJN stressed.
While appraising the judges on their performance, the Chief Justice of Nigeria urged the judicial officers to work harder and go extra mile and should not leave any loophole.
“This is the largest court in Nigeria and the best of the trial court. It is the only court that has originating jurisdiction on electoral matters”
“Anyone that is appointed to be in this court is indeed very lucky and should not take it for granted” Justice Ariwoola stressed.
He congratulated the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John T. Tsoho and his brother Judges.
Declaring open the Judges’ conference, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola said: “I am here to celebrate with you and declare this legal year 2023 open again. I hereby declare the judges’ conference of 2023 open.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho welcomed the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Justices of the Supreme Court, former Chief Judges, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the President, Nigerian Bar Association Mr Y.C. Maikyau (SAN) and other dignitaries for gracing the event.
He commended past Chief Judges, former and retired Judges of Federal High Court as well as serving judges who performed well and are not relenting in ensuring that the Court continues to uphold its core mandate of dispensing all-round justice.
He said that it has been the practice in the Federal High Court from inception for Hon.Judges of the court to meet annually to appraise the activities of the previous year, with a view to finding solutions to identified problems.
“The object of this conference, therefore is to critically discuss any issues confronting us as a court and seek remedies to them.”
“We will also be addressed by practitioners in different fields of knowledge and learning, which will help us to continue to have a grip on our health and intellectual competence ” Justice Tsoho stated.
As part of the activities on Wednesday, two anniversary lectures were delivered by a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, retired Hon. Justice Rose N. Ukeje , and a retired judge of Federal High Court Hon Justice Cecilia Mojisola Olatoregun.
Presentation of publications of the Federal High Court was made by the Hon. Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho while the cutting of Anniversary Cake was anchored by Hon.Justice Rita Ajumogobia.