The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola has expressed dismay over the rise in political cases in the country, saying: “It has taken monumental toll on court dockets.”
The CJN gave the hint on Wednesday during the swearing in ceremony of nine newly appointed Judges of the Court of Appeal held in Abuja.
According to Ariwoola, before who the judges took an oath, political litigation has made litigation to go on a steady rise.
He therefore advocated that the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism should be imbibed so that the courts can be free of unnecessary burdens and depletion of both human and material resources.
He said: “I strongly believe that it is high time we began to imbibe the culture of less litigation and expectations of the litigants. That we are continuously ranked among the most litigious countries in the world is worrisome.”
“Steady rise, especially of political cases has taken a monumental toll on our court dockets in response to challenges at hand. Indeed, the time we are in are not pleasant.
While administering an oath on the judges, the CJN reminded them on need to redouble their efforts in order to catch up with the pace of litigants and to be able to deliver on their task of adjudication.
He added: “You have to justify your elevation to the Court of Appeal so that you can be further elevated to the Supreme Court to further actualize your dreams.
“Fasten your belts and roll up your sleeves to face the challenges head on.”
The CJN then charged the new judges to operate within the ambit of the law and flee from disguised temptation capable of smearing their integrity.
