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Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who has served as the 22nd Chief Justice of Nigeria, has officially stepped down from his role, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Born on August 22, 1954, Justice Ariwoola’s tenure has been marked by significant contributions to the Nigerian judiciary.

During a speech session which took place in his honor at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

During the event, Ariwoola emphasized the importance of implementing strategies aimed at alleviating the pressures faced by the Supreme Court.

He articulated that the apex court is currently burdened with an overwhelming number of cases that should have been resolved at the appellate level.

Justice Ariwoola underscored the critical role that timely case consideration plays in guaranteeing a fair hearing, stressing that neither lawyers nor litigants should endure prolonged waiting periods.

He also pointed out the necessity of boosting the number of judges on the bench to ensure swift resolution of legal issues.

He further noted that the accessibility of justice plays a significant role in the prolonged delays in case hearings, as both litigants and attorneys find themselves waiting for years to see their matters adjudicated.

It would be recalled that Justice Ariwoola officially joined the Supreme Court bench on November 22, 2011, and rose to the esteemed position of Chief Justice of Nigeria on June 27, 2022, following the resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

The Nigerian Senate officially ratified his appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria on September 21, 2022.

Ariwoola’s judicial career began when he was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. Prior to that, he served as a Justice on the Court of Appeal from 2005 to 2011, having previously been elevated from the Oyo State High Court.

He pursued his legal education at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree with honors in July 1980.

A year later, in July 1981, Ariwoola was called to the Bar and subsequently registered as a Solicitor at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In a recent development, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has put forth the name of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for consideration as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria.