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To banish the specter of electoral ambiguity, Kayode Adeluola, a seasoned legal mind, has proposed a radical overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral timeline.
By staging elections a full year before the inauguration ceremony, Adeluola’s plan would create a vital window for resolving disputes, ensuring a clear path to a peaceful transition.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kayode Adeluola echoed the sentiments of recently retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, emphasizing the urgent need for judicial reforms.
“I will also admonish that we should have our elections well in advance for the time for swearing in. All cases will be held and will be determined well before the date of swearing-in,” Adeluola said.
“So, I will suggest one year before the swearing-in, so that all matters that come before the court and the tribunal will be held and determined well in advance so that there will be no rush – there will be no questions of not filing papers within 21 days.”
Kayode Adeluola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, concurred with the sentiments of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, who lamented the excessive caseload at the Supreme Court. Adeluola nodded in agreement, emphasizing that many cases clogging the apex court’s docket should have been resolved at the appellate level.
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Adeluola suggested that certain cases, including those related to governorship elections, should be concluded at the Court of Appeal level, eliminating the need for further appeals to the Supreme Court.
He expressed confidence that, over time, Nigerians would adapt to this new paradigm and accept the Court of Appeal’s decisions as final.
At a farewell ceremony held on Thursday, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola reflected on his tenure, highlighting a major challenge facing the judiciary: excessive delays in case hearings.
He pinpointed the root cause as the increased accessibility of justice, which has resulted in a backlog of cases, leaving litigants and lawyers waiting for years for a resolution.
Justice Ariwoola pointed out that the cornerstone of a fair hearing – prompt attention to cases – is often compromised when lawyers and litigants face lengthy waits, undermining the very essence of justice.
Justice Ariwoola advocated for an expansion of the bench, with more judicial officers appointed to hear cases, to guarantee that all matters are adjudicated upon in a timely and expeditious manner, aligning with the judiciary’s commitment to justice and fairness.
