On Wednesday, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, cautioned the Federal High Court judges against taking their appointment for granted because they are “lone rangers.”

Mr Ariwoola, who made the statement while declaring open the 39th Annual FHC Judges’ Conference and the FHC’s 50th Anniversary Lectures in Abuja, urged them not to hesitate to consult to bring the best out of their rulings and judgments.

Mr Ariwoola urged the judges to be hardworking and diligent in justice delivery while calling on them to always write their judgements in a way that the appellate court would always affirm.

“Anyone that is lucky to be appointed to this court, without mincing words, is indeed very lucky and should not take that for granted. I implore you all to please continue to work very hard; work hard and harder and go the extra mile each time,” stated the Supreme Court head.

Mr Ariwoola added, “Do not assume that what then are the gentlemen at the appellate court doing. No, let that (appellate) court affirm your decisions. Always write your judgments so that the appellate court will have no choice but to affirm your decisions. Don’t leave any loophole.”

According to the chief justice, being a judge certainly is not child’s play. 

“Particularly at your court where you don’t sit as a panel; you sit as a lone ranger. You sit all alone. You are the lord of the court. Please always go the extra mile, even in what you consider a simple application. It is your court. You are not there to impress anyone at all. 

“If you need to take a break to consult your notes, consult your books before you rule; no application by counsel is simple. Make relevant consultations and come to give your ruling,” he said.

Mr Ariwoola, who stated that the judges should not feel threatened if lawyers opted to go on appeal, said, “An appeal is an entitlement. That is what the Appeal Court is there for.”

The chief justice, who described the federal courts as the largest court in Nigeria, said it was the best of the courts of trial.

“The jurisdiction of the court has kept being expanded. It is the only court that has originating jurisdiction on electoral matters,” he stressed.

(NAN)