The Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has tasked Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria to put in the hard work to justify their appointments.
Ariwoola also cautioned the judges
against taking their appointments for granted for whatever reason.
Speaking, while
declaring open the 2023 Conference of Judges of the Federal High Court held at the Court’s headquarters in Abuja, the CJN warned them not to attempt to convince anybody no matter how highly placed but to always consult with laws and rules before writing their judgments and rulings.
Ariwoola tasked the judges to always strive to come up with judgments that would stand the test of time, especially judgments that would not be overturned by Appellate Courts.
In conclusion, he noted that the FHC is not only the largest and best in the country, but the only court that has exclusive originating jurisdiction over election related matters in the country.
” For the reasons I have just enumerated, I charge you not to take your appointments for granted. You must work harder to justify the appointments by always coming up with judgments and decisions that would not be rejected by the Appellate Courts.
“Go extra miles to justify the appointments and do not create loopholes that could tarnish the image and reputation of the Court.”
He congratulated the judges for the opportunity of witnessing the conference and the 50th anniversary of the courts existence.
Earlier, the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho had recalled the establishment of the Court 50 years ago with a single Court room and five Judges in Lagos but has grown to 37 Divisions and 95 Judges at the moment.
Justice Tsoho said that the 23 judges recently appointed to beef up performance of the Court have since been inducted and deployed to various divisions.
On the conference, he said that it is aimed at critically discussing issues confronting the court and profer solutions to the challenges.
He thanked the CJN and the Nigerian Bar Association NBA for their contributions to the growth of the court over the years.
