Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will headline a high-profile gathering of legal minds to honour former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, with the launch of a book chronicling his distinguished judicial career.
The book, titled “Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, CJN, GCON: Through the Cases,” is co-authored by renowned legal practitioners, Dr Charles Mekwunye (SAN) and Ayo Olanrewaju, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports (NWLR).
Scheduled for launch on May 8 in Abuja, the book offers a deep dive into Justice Ariwoola’s decades-long journey through Nigeria’s appellate courts, spotlighting his judicial philosophy, landmark rulings, and influence on the nation’s legal landscape.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Dr Mekwunye described the publication as a critical resource that reveals the inner workings of Justice Ariwoola’s mind through his judgments.
“This book is not just about decisions; it’s about the man behind the decisions. It unpacks his character, reasoning, and consistency in upholding legal precedent,” he said.
One of the most striking revelations, according to Mekwunye, is that Justice Ariwoola never delivered a dissenting judgment throughout his career.
“He often took minority positions during deliberations, but his legal reasoning and persuasive force were such that his colleagues frequently deferred to him, resulting in those minority views becoming the court’s majority decision,” he explained.
Describing Justice Ariwoola as courageous and principled, Mekwunye likened him to judicial giants such as Lord Denning and Lord Viscount Simmonds.
However, he noted that unlike Denning’s reformist flair or Simmonds’ rigid conservatism, Ariwoola’s jurisprudence strikes a balance, rooted in tradition yet responsive to evolving legal contexts.
The book, Mekwunye added, will serve as a vital reference for both sitting and aspiring judges, containing an in-depth analysis of pivotal cases handled by Justice Ariwoola.
“His Lordship is a fearless, incorruptible jurist who has contributed immensely to the development of Nigerian law through thoughtful and well-reasoned judgments,” he said.
Justice Ariwoola’s legal career spans over four decades, marked by his unwavering commitment to justice, judicial discipline, and the rule of law.
His tenure at the Supreme Court and eventual leadership as CJN earned him a reputation as a steady hand in turbulent times.
The event is expected to attract the crème de la crème of Nigeria’s legal community, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other top judicial officers.
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