Justice Olukayode Ariwoola officially retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Thursday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. During his valedictory speech at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, Ariwoola announced that he had signed off on the new Supreme Court Rules 2024 earlier this month, marking a significant update to the court’s procedural guidelines.

Ariwoola highlighted that the previous rules, which had been in place since 1985, were outdated and did not reflect modern advancements such as information technology and electronic transactions. Upon taking office as CJN two years ago, he recognized the need for a comprehensive review of these rules to address contemporary challenges better. He assembled a Rules Committee to undertake this task, culminating in signing the new rules under Section 236 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Expressing his gratitude, Ariwoola acknowledged the dedication of his fellow justices, including the incoming CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, as well as Justices Inyang Okoro and Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, for their commitment to the new rules. He also thanked Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), for their contributions.

In his speech, Ariwoola also addressed the Supreme Court’s workload, revealing that 1,124 cases were filed during the 2023/2024 legal year, resulting in 248 judgments and rulings. He emphasized the need to reduce the burden on the Supreme Court and expressed optimism that decisions made at the recent Justice Sector Reform Summit would significantly benefit the justice sector.