Supreme Court Gets Full Bench As CJN Swears In Justice Oyewole

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in the newly appointed Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole.

With the swearing-in of Justice Oyewole, the apex court now has its full compliment of 21 Justices, provided under Section 230(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The CJN, who administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath on the new jurist at a ceremony that was held at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, said the occasion carried “an added institutional importance”, as the court would be further strengthened to tackle the backlog of cases awaiting judicial attention.

“This is no small milestone. A full court enhances our capacity to sit in robust panels, to manage our docket more efficiently, and to ensure that the business of the nation’s apex court proceeds with renewed vigour and dispatch. It enriches intellectual diversity and reinforces the stability of our jurisprudence.

“For a court whose pronouncements shape the legal destiny of the nation, numerical completeness is structurally significant to the effective discharge of our constitutional mandate.

“Appointment to this court is not simply the culmination of professional distinction; it is the acceptance of a sacred national responsibility. The Supreme Court stands at the apex of our judicial architecture.

“Its pronouncements settle controversies, shape the development of our jurisprudence, and define the contours of constitutional governance.

“Its judgements do not speak only to the parties before it; they speak to generations yet unborn. The authority of this court rests not on force, but on the moral weight of its reasoning, the discipline of its processes, and the integrity of men and women privileged to serve on its bench,” the CJN stated.

She maintained that Justice Oyewole’s elevation was a testament to his years of disciplined scholarship, fidelity to the law, and distinguished service on the bench.

“Your judicial record reflects intellectual depth, independence of thought, clarity of expression, and a clear appreciation of the relationship between enduring legal principles and evolving social realities.

“These are qualities indispensable to the work of this court, where issues are often complex and where the margin for error is narrow but the consequences of every decision far-reaching.

“At this level, the judicial function transcends the resolution of disputes. It demands stewardship, careful guardianship of precedent, principled development of the law, and unwavering allegiance to constitutional supremacy.

“A Justice of this Court must possess the courage to affirm settled doctrine where stability demands it and the wisdom to refine it where justice and constitutional fidelity so require,” Justice Kekere-Ekun added.