By Publisher
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has voiced his displeasure over conflicting court orders from judges in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday while inaugurating 22 judges into the Court of Appeal Bench, Ariwoola said the National Judicial Council, NJC, is looking into the worrisome issue to ensure that erring judges are duly punished.
The CJN said the situation was an “unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgments” that undermine the judicial system.
“I have made it known at different fora that we have been treated to an unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgments as well as frivolous interlocutory orders emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdictions, which have literally attempted to make a mockery of our judicial system and flagrantly desecrate the revered Temple of Justice,” he added.
“Several cases of such abound across the length and breadth of the country. This is, largely, an embarrassment to our jurisprudence, and we will never handle it with levity.
“Punitive measures must definitely be meted out to such erring Judges. We have already activated the process of reining-in such errant Judges with a view to making them face the consequence of their despicable and odious conduct.
“As Judicial Officers, we have to continually remind ourselves the fact that we are not occupying our respective positions to serve ourselves, but the Nigerian masses; and the best way we can serve them is by doing what will make them feel safe in our hands and also trust us to always deliver the right judgments that will not be tainted by sentiments, emotions or other clandestine considerations.”
