The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola has pleaded with politicians to allow the judiciary to function without pressure.
Ariwoola assured Nigerians that during his tenure, the judiciary would witness reforms, including a stage where lawyers would address the courts via Zoom.
He said this after he was inaugurated as substantive CJN by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja yesterday.
The ceremony, which took place before the commencement of this week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, was witnessed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo).
Fielding questions from reporters on how the Judiciary would cope with the deluge of cases that usually accompany every electoral season, Ariwola, replied: “Politicians should allow the judiciary to function”
“Law is not static and that’s why you have seen that the National Assembly continued to amend the laws and it is the laws that the courts apply to the facts available. We shall continue to do justice if only Nigerians will allow us to perform and function without any pressure,” he added.
Ariwoola added that under his watch, he would see through, the ongoing electronic upgrade of the courts.
The CJN also assured that Nigerians would not be let down as progress and advancements would be made to serve them.
