Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, on Monday, reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to asserting its independence and impartiality in the dispensation of justice.
Speaking at a workshop on “Judicial Independence and Judge Craft” in Abuja, Ariwoola emphasized the need for judges to continually build their capacity to meet societal expectations.
While acknowledging significant progress in attaining judicial independence, the CJN noted that more efforts are required to address the challenges faced.
He pledged that the judiciary will persist in seeking improvements to remain a strong, impartial, and independent arbiter of justice and the rule of law.
Ariwoola stressed that judges must enhance their capacities to restore confidence in the judiciary, emphasizing the importance of deep legal understanding, commitment to justice, and the ability to apply principles without fear or favor.
He reiterated that judicial independence and impartiality are crucial in ensuring fair decisions based on facts and law, without external influences or pressures.
“Ongoing and sustained effort are still required to address the challenges faced. We will not relent in seeking better options and actions that will ensure that the Nigerian judiciary remains a strong, impartial and independent arbiter of justice and the rule of law,” Justice Ariwoola said.
The CJN added that judges must boost their capacities as way of restoring confidence in the judiciary.
He said, “The act and science of judging requires deep and contextual understanding of the law, commitment to do justice and the innate ability to apply legal principles to complex and often vexatious issues without fear of favor.
“I must also reiterate that the substantive requirements of judicial independence, judge craft and the art of judging are built around public expectations for judges to decide matters before them fairly impartially and on the basis of facts.
“Such decisions must go in accordance with the law, without restrictions, improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interference, directly or indirectly, from any quarter of for any reason.”
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