The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has urged judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria on Wednesday to ensure that their judgments are credible and without loopholes.
The CJN, delivering the charge during the opening of the 39th Annual Judges’ Conference of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja, warned judges against taking their individual appointments to the bench of the Court for granted, for whatever reason.
“Go the extra mile to justify your appointments and do not create loopholes that could tarnish the image and reputation of the Court,” he said, warning the judges not to attempt to convince anybody, no matter how highly placed, but to always consult laws and rules before writing their judgments and rulings.
“Always write judgments that the Court of Appeal will have no option but to affirm. Being a judge is not child’s play, particularly at your court, where you don’t sit as a panel. You sit all alone.
“Go the extra mile to justify the appointments and do not create loopholes that could tarnish the image and reputation of the Court,” he repeated, urging judges of the court to work harder and go the extra mile in their decisions.
He emphasized that the Federal High Court is the largest court in Nigeria and the only court with originating jurisdiction on electoral matters, calling on judges to work harder and ensure the fair dispensation of justice.
Earlier in his speech, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, stated that the essence of the conference was to critically discuss issues confronting the court and seek remedies for them.
According to Tsoho, judges of the Federal High Court meet annually to appraise the previous year’s activities to find solutions to identified problems.
He mentioned that the enhanced jurisdiction of the court was a product of positive, persistent, and consistent efforts by those who believed in what the court could offer.
While applauding the CJN for being available in various forms of intervention to ensure that the court succeeds in its core mandate of justice delivery, Justice Tsoho commended the NBA for defending the judiciary.
