Vice President Kashim Shettima was among dignitaries that attended the public presentation of the book titled “Judging With Justice,” written in honour of the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The event which was held at the International Conference Centre Abuja, came a few hours after the official retirement of Justice Ariwoola.
Former Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar, was the chairman of the occasion.
Guests at the occasion included Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who was recommended to President Bola Tinubu by the National Judicial Council to take over from Justice Ariwoola, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Ooni of Ife, as well as Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts.
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Earlier in a valedictory session in his honour at the Supreme Court, Ariwoola called for measures to be put in place to reduce the burden on the Supreme Court.
He explained that there are too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the appellate court.
He said access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.
Justice Ariwoola explained that the right to a fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard.
He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.
