The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has announced that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has initiated measures to hold judges accountable for issuing misleading and conflicting judgments. He described such behavior as a significant embarrassment to the judiciary, which will not be tolerated.
Justice Ariwoola made these remarks during the inauguration of 22 justices for the Court of Appeal on Wednesday at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja. He emphasized the importance of integrity and urged the new justices to avoid dishonorable conduct and to adhere strictly to the constitution in their adjudications.
In addition to the new Appeal Court justices, 11 new judges for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were also sworn in. Among them were Eberechi Wike, the wife of the FCT Minister, and Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The newly appointed justices for the Court of Appeal are:
- Abdullahi Muhammad Liman from Nasarawa State
- Abiodun Azeem Akinyemi from Ogun State
- Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi from Oyo State
- Zainab Bage Abubakar from Kebbi State
- Isaq Mohammed Sani from Kaduna State
- Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo from Lagos State
- Ngozika Okaisabor from Imo State
- Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola from Kogi State
- Polycarp Terna Kwahar from Benue State
- Fadawa Umaru from Borno State
- Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola from Oyo State
- Ntong Festus Ntong from Akwa Ibom State
- Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi from Edo State
- Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba from Abia State
- Abdu Dogo from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
- Abdulazeez M. Anka from Zamfara State
- Owibunkeonye Onwosi from Ebonyi State
- Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf from Kwara State
- Victoria Toochukwu Nwoye from Anambra State
- Enenche Eleojo from Kogi State
Justice Ariwoola’s call for judicial integrity and the NJC’s proactive measures underscore the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and public trust.