The judge who penalised the Department of State Services (DSS) for unlawfully detaining ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi was among 22 new Justices of the Court of Appeal inaugurated on Wednesday, July 10, by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Also among the 22 is the wife of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike
As a judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Adeniyi delivered a judgment on January 8 faulting the detention of Emefiele by the DSS from June 13, 2023, to November 8, 2023, without arraigning him in court. He awarded N100 million in damages in Emefiele’s favour.
Shortly after the 22 Appeal Court Justices were sworn in, the CJN also inaugurated 12 new judges of the High Court of the FCT, among whom his daughter-in-law, Justice Victoria Oluwakemi Ariwoola.
In his speech, the CJN expressed concern that the country was fast emerging as a frontline crime-infested country that requires urgent attention.
He charges the judicial officers to remain faithful to the law, the Constitution and their oath of office in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Justice Ariwoola also warned them against engaging in unethical practices.
The CJN said: “Today’s ceremony is an indication of the perilous times that we are currently in, which has resulted in an upsurge in litigation.
“Several unfathomable crimes are being committed in the country, aside from the usual political matters that have made litigations go on an alarming rise.
“No court in the land is spared of this litigation deluge, as it were. We are constantly on our toes and the dockets are ever increasing in response to the challenges of the time.
“This underscores the fact that Nigeria is fast emerging as a frontline crime-infested country that we all have to urgently curtail.
“The enormous task of cleaning the Augean stable rests squarely on Your Lordships.
“So, you must hastily fasten your belt and roll up your sleeves to face the challenges head-on. In other words, you should hit the ground speeding at a supersonic velocity; and not just running.
“You must redouble your pace to catch up with the expectations of the sprawling community of litigants.
“As judicial officers, you have a divine mandate on earth that you must discharge with unveiled honesty and sincerity.
“In the next couple of months, we shall be having two governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, respectively. As usual, the courts will be besieged with a plethora of petitions.
“It is our statutory duty to hear all matters that come before us and adjudicate according to the laws of the land. We must not falter, and we must not tread the path of infamy.
“Yes, it is true that we cannot please everyone through our actions and work, but with the right application of the law and the Constitution of the land, which we all have collectively pledged to uphold, we can go a long way to do those things that our conscience will be very proud of; and the generality of the Nigerian citizens will equally be happy about.
“Every position we attain in life always avails us that unique opportunity to do something novel and impactful, especially if there was any previous act of wrongdoing or misapplication of discretion,” the CJN said.
Addressing the new judges of the High Court of the FCT, Justice Ariwoola said: “We don’t need any fortuneteller to tell us that the times we are in, are quite perilous and ominous, too.
“So, we seriously need judicial officers with the right character content that are equally calculative, honest, objective, dispassionate, and immensely humble, to take us to the highest pedestal of image and reputation rating.
“Your appointments to the bench at this crucial and challenging time of our national history are not by accident but by the divine will of the Almighty God.
“You should be led by wisdom and guided by your conscience on this solemn voyage of self-actualization.”
