The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is set to swear in 12 new judges into the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. This announcement was made in a statement by the Director of Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande, and was reported by Channels Television on Sunday.
According to a rort by Daily Post, the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court at 10 am. Among the new judges is the CJN’s daughter-in-law, Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria. The full list of the new judges includes: Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria (Oyo State), Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo (Kwara State), Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi (Lagos State), Iheabunike Anumaenwe Godwin (Imo State), Odo Celestine Obinna (Enugu State), Hauwa Lawal Gummi (Zamfara State), Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh (Bayelsa State), Maryam Iye Yusuf (Kogi State), Buetnaan Mandy Bassi (Plateau State), Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike (Rivers State), Ibrahim Tanko Munirat (Bauchi State), Abdulrahman Usman (Taraba State).
This appointment follows the recommendation made by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on May 17, 2024. The NJC, during its 105th plenary meeting held between May 15 and 16, 2024, recommended a total of 86 judicial officers for appointment into federal and state courts across Nigeria. These recommendations were made by the council’s Interview Committee on Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria. The council's Director of Information, Soji Oye, disclosed this in a statement.
The new judges’ appointment is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the judiciary and ensure effective administration of justice across the country. The inclusion of Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria has attracted notable attention due to her familial connection to the CJN. However, this appointment is in line with the NJC's standard procedures and merit-based criteria for judicial appointments.
Justice Ariwoola has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity and independence of the judiciary. In previous statements, he has underlined the necessity for judges to be impartial and uphold the rule of law, free from external pressures and influences. This stance is particularly notable given the challenging socio-political environment in which the Nigerian judiciary operates.
The swearing-in of these judges is seen as a critical step in addressing the backlog of cases in the FCT High Court and improving the overall efficiency of the judicial system. It also reflects the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that justice is accessible and delivered promptly.
The NJC’s recommendations and subsequent appointments are part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing the capacity and performance of the judiciary. These reforms include continuous professional development for judges, the adoption of technology in court processes, and measures to improve transparency and accountability within the judiciary.