Supreme Court Faces Historic Low in the Number of Justices, Says CJN

• The Supreme Court of Nigeria is facing an unprecedented shortage of justices, with only 10 justices available
• Steps are being taken to appoint a significant number of new justices to address the shortage

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has highlighted that the Supreme Court of Nigeria is currently facing an unprecedented shortage of justices.

Justice Ariwoola noted that the apex court has only 10 justices available to handle the substantial workload of pending cases. This marks the lowest number of justices in the contemporary history of the court.

During the retirement ceremony of Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 years, the CJN assured that steps were being taken to appoint a significant number of new justices to the Supreme Court.

In paying tribute to the retired justice, Justice Ariwoola expressed his deep emotions and profound admiration for the valedictory session. He emphasized that they were honouring a judicial icon known for exceptional qualities and an impressive legal career that extended beyond the boundaries of the legal profession.

Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad was hailed as an embodiment of legal expertise, a prominent figure in the temple of justice, and an iconic contributor to the advancement of the legal profession. Throughout his years of service in various levels of Nigerian courts, he left a legacy of unblemished and indisputable judicial decisions.

His lordship’s contributions to the Nigerian judiciary, particularly his unwavering commitment and exceptional performance at the Supreme Court, secured him a distinguished place in the annals of legal history. As the second-in-command in the Supreme Court’s hierarchy, Justice Dattijo provided invaluable support and guidance to the CJN, displaying qualities of hard work, industry, discipline, and high moral standards.

The CJN acknowledged the tremendous assistance and encouragement he received from Justice Dattijo in effectively navigating the complex waters of court administration. The retiring justice’s legacy as a dedicated and accomplished jurist remains a source of inspiration for the legal community.