The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, issued a warning to judges on Wednesday, cautioning them against bringing disrepute to the judiciary arm of government.
He advised them to consult laws and rules before writing their judgments and rulings and not to attempt to convince anyone, no matter how highly placed they may be.
The CJN made this statement while declaring open the 2023 Conference of Judges of the Federal High Court, which was held at the Court’s headquarters in Abuja.
He emphasized the importance of justifying their appointments and avoiding any actions that could tarnish the image and reputation of the Court.
The CJN urged judges to go the extra mile to ensure that their decisions are fair, just and in line with the laws and rules that govern their profession.
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“Do not attempt to convince anybody, no matter how highly placed, but always consult laws and rules before writing your judgments and rulings.
“Always write judgments that the Court of Appeal will have no option but to affirm. Being a judge is not child’s play, particularly in your court, where you don’t sit on a panel. You sit all alone.
“Go the extra mile to justify the appointments and do not create loopholes that could tarnish the image and reputation of the court.”
He also warned judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria against taking their appointments to the bench of the court for granted.
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Ariwoola told the judges that the Federal High Court is not only the largest and best in the country, but the only court that has exclusive originating jurisdiction over election-related matters in the country.
“For the reasons I have just enumerated, I charge you not to take your appointments for granted. You must work harder to justify the appointments by always coming up with judgments and decisions that would not be rejected by the Appellate Courts,” he said.
The Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, recalled the establishment of the court 50 years ago with a single courtroom and five Judges in Lagos but has grown to 37 Divisions and 95 Judges at the moment.
Justice Tsoho said that the 23 Judges recently appointed to beef up the performance of the court have since been inducted and deployed to various Divisions.
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