You are the lord of the court. Please always go the extra mile, even in what you consider a simple application. It is your court. You are not there to impress anyone at all.
By Saidu Idris
365Daily – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has cautioned Federal High Court (FHC) judges against taking their appointment for granted because they are “lone rangers.”
The CJN made this statement on Wednesday while declaring the 39th Annual FHC Judges’ Conference and 50th Anniversary Lectures open in Abuja.
He urged them to be hardworking and diligent in justice delivery, and to always consult in order to bring the best out of their rulings and judgments.
“Anyone that is lucky to be appointed to this court, without mincing words, is indeed very lucky and should not take that for granted. I implore you all to please continue to work very hard; work hard and harder and go the extra mile each time,” he stated.
Going further, he added, “Do not assume that what then are the gentlemen at the appellate court doing. No, let that (appellate) court affirm your decisions. Always write your judgments so that the appellate court will have no choice but to affirm your decisions. Don’t leave any loophole.”
Stressing the importance of the court, he noted, “Particularly at your court where you don’t sit as a panel; you sit as a lone ranger. You sit all alone. You are the lord of the court. Please always go the extra mile, even in what you consider a simple application. It is your court. You are not there to impress anyone at all.
“If you need to take a break to consult your notes, consult your books before you rule; no application by counsel is simple. Make relevant consultations and come to give your ruling,” he said.