Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s appointment as Nigeria’s Chief Justice was approved by the Senate on Wednesday.
FirstNews earlier reported that Senator Ibrahim Gobir, the Senate Minority Leader, moved the motion for his screening, which was approved through voice vote by the lawmakers.
Ariwoola, who was accompanied by all the Supreme Court judges, the presidents of the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal, the National Industrial Court, and the National Judicial Council, was asked to take a bow and leave.
This came after Ariwoola addressed the Senate.
In his address, he requested that the National Assembly change the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to permit the appeal of certain instances.
According to Ariwoola, this will lessen the workload on the Supreme Court Justices and increase their effectiveness.
Ariwoola remarked that there were many issues with the country’s judiciary, even at the highest levels, complaining that it was underfunded among other things.
He also lamented the fact that the supreme court only has 13 justices, despite the fact that it is constitutionally required to have 21 justices.
He said he had plans to digitise the judiciary and introduce technology advancements to make the work of judicial employees, laborers, and lawyers easier.
On June 26, 2022, Ariwoola was named acting Chief Justice of the Nation when Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad abruptly resigned.