CHIEF Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola, has again reminded judges to maintain neutrality as arbiters to sustain the ethos of democracy in public confidence in the judiciary.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Ariwoola reiterated the charge yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, at a Three Day Retreat for Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal at the instance of the Attorney General Alliance-Africa (AGA-AFRICA) in partnership with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) on, ‘Achieving Efficiency And Effectiveness In A Judicial System In Nigeria’
Represented by Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, the CJN told participants, “Democracy can only thrive on respect for the Rule of Law and its principles also advocate the independence of the Judiciary, Separation of Powers, a guarantee of fundamental rights, freedom of expression epitomised by free press and media as well as free and fair elections, all of which can only be guaranteed by the efficient and effective judiciary.
“Therefore, efficiency and effectiveness are not mere aspirations but essential foundations upon which our justice system rests. They are also the cornerstone of a judiciary that earns the trust and confidence of its people.
“To achieve this, it is imperative to explore innovative case management techniques, embrace modern technologies to streamline court processes, and generally dispense justice in a manner that restores faith in the rule of law.
“As we move forward into this digital age, we must embrace the potential of technology which would significantly enhance efficiency by streamlining administrative tasks, aid legal research, reduce having a backlog of cases, and generally improve transparency and efficiency in the administration of justice.”
On the benefits of the retreat, Justice Ariwoola noted that “This exchange of ideas fosters innovations which can engender reforms and improve processes in the judiciary. It is my expectation that this retreat will provide us with an invaluable opportunity to reflect on current practices, identify areas for improvement, and chart a course towards a more efficient and effective judiciary.
“My Lords, Distinguished Participants, I am optimistic that the fruitful discussions and collaborative efforts that will undoubtedly emerge from this retreat will, no doubt, map out strategies towards a more efficient and effective judiciary.
A judiciary that not only dispenses justice but also serves as a beacon of hope and trust for our nation. Working together, we can reaffirm the judiciary’s role as pillar of democracy and justice in Nigeria.”
In a welcome address, Administrator of NJI, Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, stated, “The pursuit of Justice is the conerstone of any thriving democracy and it is essential that our judicial system operates with utmost efficiency and effectiveness to uphold the principle upon which our nation was founded.
“Concerted efforts must be made towards timely resolution of cases, streamlining of legal procedures and elimination of unnecessary delays. It is incumbent upon us to invest in several key areas such as ICT and also leverage on case management among many others.
“It is imperative that we ensure that Justice is not only done but should be seen to be done in a manner that represents the rights and needs of all parties involved as speedy Justice delivery instills confidence in our legal system.”
Chukukere Unamba-Opara, AGA Africa Programme Director and Country Coordinator for Kenya said that the AGA-Africa Programme has been consistently dedicated to strengthening the legal landscape as commitment to enhancing capabilities of your judiciary remains unwavering.
He emphasised that, “Our collaboration has seen us engage in various meaningful initiatives, including but not limited to other retreats for esteemed Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices.
“This history of collaboration seamlessly paves way for our continued support of this event. These workshops are reflective of the work that we do across our partner countries – Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Nigeria in the areas of transnational organised crime including Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Wildlife Crime.
“The breadth and scope of our work demonstrates the AGA-Africa Programme’s understanding that transnational organised crimes cannot be tackled without cross-border cooperation between countries.
“If crime crosses all borders, so must our work as criminal justice actors. If organised criminal groups can exploit the openness and opportunities of globalisation for their purposes, then we must exploit those very same factors in the pursuit of access to justice.”
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
