From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The appointment of Justice Kayode Ariwoola, as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), is a welcome development that will rejuvenate the effective judicial system in the country, and ensure a free, transparent and legitimate transfer of power to another democratically-elected government in 2023.
The Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Adeolu Akande, made the assertion on Saturday at a public lecture, he delivered at Iseyin on Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State, during the 2022 annual week of the Pioneer Movement, Iseyin (PMI), which was used to honour of Justice Ariwoola.
The lecture, entitled: ‘The Impact of Effective Judicial System on Community Development,’ was held at the Queen Event Centre, Iseyinz was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, including Justice Adebayo Ganiyu, who represented the CJN and also chaired the occasion.
Akande, who was represented by Dr Adekunle Ajisebiiyawo of the Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin, Edo State, said the duties of the judiciary are based on the components of rules and behaviour so as to impact positively on the community and society at large, as the law exists to benefit humans and not the law officers.
He charged all legal stakeholders to see to the total independence of the judiciary for the benefit of the people and for a developed society, part of which he said the community comprised.
Speaking further about the need for an effective system of justice, Adeolu hinted that the hope for a new positive beginning was beamed with the recent appointment of Justice Kayode Ariwoola, who he described as a jurist with a brilliant mind, unique history of delivering judgements as well as a law officer that make decisions with enormous clarity in his past landmark decisions.
“The argument in this lecture is that if the government is under a constitutional obligation to fulfil citizens’ rights to socioeconomic development and to provide an enabling environment for investors, even in rural communities, then there is a need for an effective system of justice administration and legal cum judicial framework that support equality, prevent arbitrariness, punish fraudulent or other limiting social vices so that people in communities can reach full potentials and develop holistically.
“More so, much of the problems facing Nigeria today, including economic underdevelopment and insecurity are associated with the absence of retributive justice and lack of rule of law, especially by people in authority, however the hitherto elusive vision of raising a contemporaneously effective judiciary that is poised to turn the tide in the Nigerian justice system was rejuvenated with the appointment of the new CJN we are here today to celebrate.
“Honorable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is a legal behemoth, a great jurist with a brilliant mind with a unique history of delivering judgements and making judicial decisions with enormous clarity which are often written in his characteristic flowery prose, his decisions, whether leading, concurring or dissenting, reflect the breadth of his knowledge and scholarship, he has participated in many landmark decisions that have defined our jurisprudence.
“As evidence of his brilliance and indication of a landmark development that awaits the judiciary under him, during his confirmation hearing on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, September 21st, 2022, Hon Justice Ariwoola entertained questions from distinguished senators in quite a refreshing manner that behold public applause beyond the shores of Nigeria, with his immaculate style, he advanced a new vision of Nigerian judiciary where the administration will be seamless, fast and just, his take on digitisation of court procedures was a 21st-century postulation, positioning the apex court as a potential beneficiary of donor-funded justice sector reform.
“The new CJN looks strongly like a thinker along a fast pace of court hearings even though he hinges his plan on judicial technological innovations and applications, he represents the hope of two hundred million Nigerians for a free, transparent and legitimate transfer of power to another democratically-elected government come 2023 and access to justice for this population as well as leaving legacies of irreversible judicial independence in Nigeria.”
The programme includes discussions among a panel consisting of the Chairman of the occasion, Justice Adebayo Ganiyu of the Alhaji Najimdeen Oyeshina Oyedeji (Oshine) and the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Saki Branch.
There were presentations of 56 scholarship awards and endowments to 32 students of public secondary schools, five teachers and 13 undergraduates.
There was also the presentation of commendation awards to individuals that have distinguished themselves in serving humanity while some youths with skill capacity were empowered with funds and working tools.
In his speech, the President, Pioneer Movement, Iseyin (PMI), Abimbola Ojedokun, said the 2022 edition of the movement’s week was dedicated to honouring the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kayode Ariwoola for being an inspiration and good role model for the teaming youths of Iseyin.