The legal luminary announced this on Thursday, in a valedictory speech at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja.

Justice Ariwoola was born on 22 August 1954.

On 22 November 2011, he was elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court and was appointed substantive CJN on 27 June 2022 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ariwoola took charge of the apex court following the resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

Justice Ariwoola was formally confirmed as the Chief Justice of Nigeria by the Nigerian Senate on September, 21, 2022.

Speaking at his retirement ceremony at the Supreme Court, Abuja, Ariwoola said to suit the times and address current challenges, he signed off on the new Supreme Court Rules 2024 earlier this month.

He explained that upon assuming office as the CJN two years ago, he was concerned about the rules regulating procedures in the apex court, which had been in place for 39 years, predating the advent of the internet and electronic transactions.

He noted that although practice directions have been issued periodically over the years to meet the demands of justice, the substantive rules were still from 1985.

Ariwoola expressed his belief that the rules of procedure of any court are crucial for its operation and must be dynamic and contemporary to meet the evolving demands of both the bar and the bench.

He thanked his fellow justices: the incoming CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Justice Inyang Okoro; and Justice Moronkeji Ogunwumiju for their dedication and commitment to the new rules.

He also acknowledged Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) for their contribution.

Justice Ariwoola, speaking on the Supreme Court’s workload, noted that a total of 1,124 cases were filed in the 2023/2024 legal year, which commenced in September 2023 and ended in July 2024.

Of these, 435 were civil cases, 269 were civil motions, 219 were criminal cases, and 102 were criminal motions.

Additionally, although the year was not an election year, 89 political appeals were filed at the apex court, along with 10 originating summons.

Justice Ariwoola noted that the realisation of the need to reduce the undue burden on the Supreme Court led to the collaboration between the National Judicial Institute, the Ministry of Justice, and the Nigerian Bar Association to host the Justice Sector Reform Summit in April.

He expressed hope that the far-reaching decisions made at the summit will greatly assist the justice sector.

PMNews