Olukayode Ariwoola: The Fearless Judgements Outgoing CJN will be Remembered for
As Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retires, the judiciary bids farewell to a trailblazer who came, saw, and most probably conquered.
The first Chief Justice of Nigeria from Oyo State, Ariwoola’s remarkable journey has come full circle.
Appointed as a Judge in Oyo State in 1992, Ariwoola’s illustrious career culminated in his tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria, leaving a mixed legacy.
Justice Ariwoola had served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011
Bumpy start
Initially, many Nigerians were skeptical about his appointment, fearing he would follow in the footsteps of his last two predecessors who left rather unceremoniously.
However, Ariwoola proved his critics wrong, demonstrating his commitment to impartiality and upholding the rule of law.
Good, bad & ugly
Mike Ozekhome (SAN) described Ariwoola’s tenure as “a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly.” The legal luminary told the Punch Newspaper: “The Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s tenure can be said to be a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly – some achievements and some minuses, there is no question about that.”
Landmark judgements
Notable judgments during Ariwoola’s era include the cash scarcity case, local government autonomy case, Supreme Court’s decision on the Naira redesign, and the presidential election appeal.
Ozekhome praised these decisions, saying, “In all, we saw a Supreme Court that delivered some very courageous judgments like the currency case that allows Nigerians to have two swaps of currency, the old and the new, side by side. If the Supreme Court did not intervene, what the Central Bank would have done was cripple the entire country and bring it to its knees also, as well as the local government judgment, a lot of people have criticised the judgment just as many people including me have eulogised the Supreme Court for the judgment of the local government autonomy.”
Other reforms
Ariwoola’s leadership focused on reforming the judiciary, addressing the inadequate number of justices in the Supreme Court and vowing to push for its completion. His administration oversaw the appointment of 11 new judges, bringing the number of justices to the expected 21.
“Ariwoola’s reforms have set the judiciary on a path of progress and development,” said Olu Afolabi, a legal expert. “His legacy will be remembered for generations to come.”
Challenges
Despite challenges, including conflicting court orders and perceived indiscipline on the bench, Ariwoola’s commitment to integrity, fairness, and justice has left a lasting impact.
As he departs, attention turns to the legacy he leaves behind and the impact it will have on the judiciary’s future.
“Ariwoola’s departure marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us,” said Barrister Ojo Makinde, a Lagos-based lawyer.
Next phase
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Justice Ariwoola on his successful public service career, commending him for his “impactful leadership of the judiciary” and efforts in “enriching Nigerian jurisprudence” and “strengthening the fibre of the law”.
Justice Ariwoola’s successor will be sworn in by President Tinubu on August 23, 2024.
