The NBA said the lack of confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary should prompt the new CJN into taking urgent steps to reform the judiciary.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has advised the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, to rebuild the dissipated confidence that Nigerians have in the judiciary.
Recall the outgone CJN, Ibrahim Muhammed Tanko, retired from his post over ill health, leading to the next in line, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola stepping in as the new CJN.
A statement by the NBA president, Olumide Akpata, said while wishing the outgone CJN quick recovery, his retirement shortly after 14 justices of the apex court accused him of maladministration appears to be the motive for his exit as the CJN.
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The statement reads in part: “It is however impossible to consider His Lordship’s retirement in isolation of the recent unprecedented development at the Supreme Court where 14 justices of the court censured the outgone Chief Justice of Nigeria over His Lordship’s handling of their welfare and related issues. Beyond this, there is near-universal agreement that public confidence in the judiciary and indeed the legal profession is at an all-time low.”
The NBA president added that the lack of confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary should stir the new CJN into taking urgent steps to reform the judiciary.
He said: “The NBA welcomes the appointment of Honourable Mr Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and pledges its readiness to work together with His Lordship and the judiciary in cleansing the Augean Stable and addressing the ills that have continued to plague not just the judiciary but the entire legal profession.”