The Nigerian judiciary faces an impending crisis as another Supreme Court Justice, Musa Dattijo, is set to officially retire from the bench on October 27, 2023. This comes in the wake of Justice Amina Augie’s retirement on September 22, 2023, and the unfortunate passing of Justice Chima Nweze on July 31, 2023.
With Justice Dattijo’s retirement, the apex court will be left with just 10 justices, a staggering 11 short of the 21 justices stipulated by Section 230(2) of the 1999 Constitution. Despite new lawyers being called to the Nigerian bar every year, the Supreme Court remains severely understaffed. The argument that there are stringent criteria for appointments holds little water when there are numerous experienced lawyers available. This situation is emblematic of the broader issues plaguing Nigeria’s judiciary, where nothing seems normal, not even the highest court in the land.
In an official statement released on Sunday, Court Spokesperson Festus Akande announced Justice Dattijo’s retirement and revealed that a valedictory court session would be held in his honor on Friday, presided over by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Dattijo, hailing from Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State and born on October 27, 1953, in Minna, took the oath of office as a Justice of the Supreme Court on July 10, 2012. His rise to the Court of Appeal in 1998 was a testament to his hard work, unwavering passion for the legal profession, dedication to duty, and a steadfast commitment to the application of the law to all cases that came before him.
As the nation prepares to bid farewell to Justice Musa Dattijo, it is a stark reminder of the urgent need for addressing the staffing crisis within Nigeria’s highest court.”
