Toba Owojaiye Reporting
In a recent development at the Supreme Court, retiring Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad has accused Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola of wielding excessive power. Justice Muhammad, who spent 47 years in judicial service, criticized the current structure of the judiciary, which grants the CJN extensive authority without consulting other justices.
He highlighted that the CJN holds positions in the National Judicial Council, Federal Judicial Service Commission, National Judicial Institute, and Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, with the power to appoint a significant number of members in each. This concentration of power, according to Justice Muhammad, leads to potential abuses and weakens judicial oversight.
Moreover, Justice Muhammad expressed concern about the composition of the Supreme Court bench. He noted that the CJN’s discretion in not filling vacant positions from certain regions has resulted in unequal representation, with only four out of the six geopolitical regions being represented. This has implications for the fairness of decisions that affect the entire nation.
Justice Muhammad also addressed issues related to judicial funding and salaries. He pointed out disparities in the income of justices and other judicial officers, which he found unjust and puzzling. He suggested that despite budgetary increases for the judiciary, the quality of service and welfare of justices have deteriorated.
The retiring justice concluded by lamenting that the judiciary he is leaving is far from the one he aspired to serve. He highlighted the allegations of corruption and the erosion of justice within the judiciary. He referenced past incidents where judges were arrested for alleged corruption and the treatment of the former Chief Justice.
In contrast, CJN Olukayode Ariwoola praised Justice Muhammad’s qualities and attributes, calling him a judicial icon. However, with Justice Muhammad’s retirement, the Supreme Court bench has further dwindled to just 10 justices.
These revelations by Justice Muhammad shed light on important issues within the Nigerian judiciary, including the distribution of power, regional representation, funding, and salaries, which could have far-reaching implications for the justice system and its integrity.