S’court to hold valedictory session Aug 22 as CJN Ariwoola retires

The supreme court has announced that Olukayode Ariwoola will retire as chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on August 22.

In a notice on Monday, Festus Akande, supreme court spokesperson, said a valedictory session would be held on the court premises in honour of the CJN who would be clocking the retirement age of 70.

Akande also said the supreme court commenced its annual vacation on Monday, July 22 and will resume a new legal year on Monday, September 23, 2024.

“The supreme court’s 2023/2024 legal year ended on Friday, 19th July 2024,” the notice reads.

“The court proceeded on vacation on Monday,  22nd July 2024 and will resume for the 1st term 2024/2025 legal year on Monday, 23rd September, 2024. 

“However, the valedictory court session for the retiring chief justice of Nigeria, Hon. justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON shall hold on Thursday,  22nd August, 2024.

“The ceremony to usher in the 2024/2025 new legal year is scheduled to hold on Monday, 30th September, 2024.”

Ariwoola was sworn in as substantive CJN by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 12, 2022 — four months after the controversial resignation of Ibrahim Muhammad. 

By convention, Ariwoola will be succeeded in an acting capacity by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the next most senior justice of the apex court.

The National Judicial Council will then recommend a substantive CJN to the president, who will then nominate the recommended candidate to the senate for confirmation.