Chief Justice of Nigeria Urges Judges to Combat Bias and Restore Confidence in the Judiciary

In a momentous gathering at the Biennial Conference of the National Association of Women Judges in

Nigeria, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, delivered an impassioned plea to judges throughout the country. He called upon them to reject all forms of bias and strive to administer justice in every case that came before them, emphasizing that this was the sole means by which confidence in the judiciary could be restored.

 

Acknowledging the judiciary's role as the final refuge for the common man, the CJN expressed the vital importance of judges interpreting the law impartially, free from any personal affections or ill-will. He underlined the judiciary's responsibility to uphold the rule of law through the interpretation, construction, and application of relevant laws.

 

Addressing the women judges, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola urged them to interpret the law without bias, recognizing their significant position in the 21st century. He highlighted the judiciary as the last bastion of hope for ordinary citizens and stressed that judicial officers must strive to preserve the trust placed in them by society.

 

The CJN further outlined the purpose of the conference, which aimed to bolster the capabilities of women judges in combating various injustices prevalent in the nation. He acknowledged that certain societal vices had a disproportionately adverse impact on women and girls, and the conference provided a platform for discussing these pertinent issues. Notably, he mentioned crimes such as sexual slavery, human trafficking, rape, and female genital mutilation, expressing concern over their persistence despite ongoing efforts to eradicate them.

 

In this context, the conference served as an opportunity to deliberate on policy formation and recent legislation that could significantly affect women in society. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola drew attention to the pervasive problem of human trafficking, particularly its detrimental consequences for women, and called for all stakeholders to join forces in combating this hydra-headed monster. He expressed the desire shared by many Nigerians to curb human trafficking and highlighted the need for unity in this fight.

 

The CJN emphasized that the conference had been carefully designed to inform participants about emerging developments in combating human trafficking and other critical issues. He expressed his conviction that this gathering would serve as a platform for enlightening the distinguished delegates about global best practices in addressing challenges related to this specific area of the law.

 

With his passionate plea, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola set the tone for an intense and fruitful conference, highlighting the significance of impartiality and justice in the judiciary and underscoring the urgency of combating human trafficking and other injustices affecting women in Nigeria.