What CJN Wants To Do To Most Cases At Appeal Court

During a special session marking the start of the 2023/2024 legal year and the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in Abuja, the CJN disclosed that from September of the previous year to July of the current year, the Supreme Court received 1,271 cases, including motions and appeals. Of these, 388 were political appeals, 215 were criminal appeals, and 464 were civil appeals.

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Ariwoola shared that during the same period, the Supreme Court delivered 251 judgments, comprising 125 political appeals, 81 civil appeals, and 45 criminal appeals.

Acknowledging the challenges, particularly the reduced number of justices on the Supreme Court bench, the CJN expressed determination to enhance the judiciary and ensure a legal system that citizens can take pride in. He emphasized the importance of avoiding any perception of fear, favoritism, bias, corruption, or partiality in judgments to maintain the integrity of the entire judicial system.

During the session, the CJN conferred the rank of SAN on 58 legal practitioners and urged them to serve as worthy ambassadors of justice

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He said: “As Senior Advocates of Nigeria, you now carry a heavy burden on your shoulders. From the moment you leave this courtroom, everything in you and about you will be freely scrutinised and dissected by everyone that comes in contact with you.

“There is nothing like private life for you henceforth, as whatever you hitherto regarded as private life will now be treated as public life by members of the public; and there is nothing you can do about it.

“So, watch your utterances, watch your actions and watch the kind of company you keep, because you have already assumed the role of ministers of the court; you are now expected to assist the court to attain justice, equity and fairness in all ramifications. You must display enormous integrity, self-discipline and a high standard of advocacy, as custodians of justice.”

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in his speech, reminded the new SANs of existing law that could take away the rank in the event of unprofessional conduct.

He said: “Being a privilege also means that it can be lost or taken away. It is worthy of note that under the new rules, once a name is struck off, there is no provision for restoration of the name to the roll. Therefore, you must continue to sustain the standards and qualities for which you were considered worthy of the rank ab initio.”