Just a day after the Supreme Court upheld President Bola Tinubu's election, retiring Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, who recently left the apex court after reaching the mandatory retirement age, has made startling allegations of abuse of power by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Muhammad, who served for 47 years, voiced his concerns during a valedictory session in his honor organized by the Supreme Court. He accused the CJN of concentrating too much power within his office, often making decisions without consulting other justices. In his statement, Justice Muhammad noted the CJN's positions as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), National Judicial Institute (NJI), and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), which has the authority to appoint Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Justice Muhammad argued that concentrating so much power in one individual can lead to abuse, corruption, and a lack of effective judicial oversight. He pointed out the need for the oversight functions of these bodies not to rest on a single person, emphasizing that these decisions affect the entire judiciary.
He further lamented the underrepresentation of some regions in the Supreme Court bench due to unfilled vacancies, calling this a deliberate act due to the absolute powers vested in the office of the CJN. With his retirement, the North Central region would no longer be represented on the Supreme Court bench.
Furthermore, Justice Muhammad raised concerns about financial disparities within the judiciary, highlighting significant salary differences between Justices and the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court. He noted that despite budgetary increases, the welfare of officers and the quality of service have continued to decline.
Justice Muhammad's revelations have sparked a heated debate in legal and political circles, leaving the judiciary at a crossroads. With his departure and the alleged power imbalance, the Supreme Court's integrity is facing a challenging test.
