The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticized retiring Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, claiming his tenure has been unremarkable for ordinary Nigerians. HURIWA labeled Ariwoola’s time in office as one of the most disappointing in the judiciary’s history, citing issues like nepotism, alleged corruption, and a disregard for fairness and justice.
HURIWA condemned the Chief Justice for introducing nepotistic practices, such as appointing his brother, Adebayo Lateef Ariwoola, as head of the National Judicial Council’s audit department, which directly reports to him. The group also criticized Ariwoola for securing a judicial appointment for his son, Olukayode Ariwoola Jr., as a Federal High Court Judge.
The association argued that these actions set a troubling precedent, fostering nepotism and corruption within the judiciary. They pointed to similar behavior by other judicial figures, such as Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, who appointed his daughter and allegedly included relatives of influential figures among new judges. HURIWA asserted that this corruption undermines the integrity of judicial appointments in Nigeria.
