The Supreme Court of Nigeria has announced a Valedictory Court Session for the retiring Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (GCON), scheduled for Thursday, August 22, 2024. This session marks the end of Justice Ariwoola’s tenure as he turns 70.
A spokesman for the apex court, Festus Akande, revealed that the Supreme Court’s 2023/2024 legal year concluded on Friday, July 19, 2024. The court entered its vacation period on Monday, July 22, 2024, and will resume for the 1st term of the 2024/2025 legal year on Monday, September 23, 2024. The ceremony to usher in the new legal year is set for Monday, September 30, 2024.
Justice Ariwoola was appointed as acting CJN in June 2022 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds. He was confirmed by the Senate and officially sworn in as CJN in October 2022.
Justice Ariwoola’s judicial career began when he was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. Prior to that, he served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal from 2005 to 2011, having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State. He earned his law degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in July 1980 and was called to the Bar in July 1981.
