Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has condemned the issuance of conflicting judgments by courts of equal jurisdiction.
Speaking on Wednesday, he emphasized that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has begun taking steps to ensure judges involved in such actions face consequences for their “despicable and odious conduct.”
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During the inauguration of 22 Court of Appeal justices and 12 FCT High Court judges in Abuja, Justice Ariwoola criticized the numerous frivolous interlocutory orders from various courts, which he said have undermined the judicial system.
He reminded the newly inaugurated judges of their duty to serve the people impartially, free from personal biases and ulterior motives.
“Judgments should be free from personal sentiments, emotions, or ulterior motives,” he stressed.
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Justice Ariwoola declared, “We have been subjected to an unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgments as well as frivolous interlocutory orders from courts of coordinate jurisdictions, which have attempted to mock our judicial system and desecrate the revered Temple of Justice. Several such cases exist across the country, causing significant embarrassment to our jurisprudence. We will not handle this lightly.”
He assured that punitive measures are being implemented to address these issues.
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“We have already activated the process of reining in such errant judges with a view to making them face the consequences of their despicable and odious conduct,” he stated.
The CJN also highlighted that this inauguration marks the largest swearing-in of justices for the Court of Appeal since similar ceremonies on June 28, 2021, and November 5, 2012, which saw the appointment of 18 and 12 justices, respectively.
