The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola has criticised judges for giving misleading, conflicting verdicts, and frivolous interlocutory orders, make mockery of the country’s judicial system.
He also said some of the judgements and rulings by judges were questionable.
The CJN who is due to retire in August promises to reform the judiciary before he takes a bow from office.
The CJN said all of these in his keynote address on Monday at the Court of Appeal, two-day workshop for the Review of the 2023 Election Petition Tribunals/Court and Appeals, held in Abuja.
ALSO READ CJN, others ask court to dismiss suit challenging appointment of judges
He said, “We have been treated to an unpalatable cocktail of misleading and conflicting judgments as well as frivolous interlocutory orders emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdiction which attempts to make a mockery of our judicial system.
“This is largely an embarrassment to our jurisprudence, and we will not take it lying low. Punitive measures must be taken against such erring judges.”
The CJN stated that he had “desire to bequeath a robust and prosperous Judiciary that will be the pride of not only Nigerians but the African continent.”
An interlocutory injunction is a court order to compel or prevent a party from doing certain acts pending the final determination of the case.
It is an order made at an interim stage during the trial, and is usually issued to maintain the status quo until judgment can be made.
Conflicting verdict means a situation in which two or more court rules, or a court rules and the rule of another court, conflict to make compliance with both rules impossible or impracticable.
