Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is set to become the next Chief Justice of Nigeria following the resignation of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed on health grounds.
Justice Arowoola will take over following the retirement of Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court in May 2022.
The Oyo State born jurist graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife was born on August 22, 1958.
He was previously a Justice of the Nigerian Courts of Appeal, and on November 22, 2011, he was sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
According to Human Rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, Justice Arowoola will be sworn in as the Acting CJN pending confirmation by the Senate.
He also revealed that the emergence of Justice Arowoola will hopefully brighten public confidence in thw Apex court.
“The next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will be sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria pending Senate confirmation.
We hope that the retirement of Justice Tanko Muhammad and the emergence of Justice Ariwoola will brighten public confidence in the Apex Court. The letter by 14 Justices was a Vote of No Confidence on Justice Tanko. I wish Justice Ariwoola the courage to do what is right at all times.”
