Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola has been accused of nepotism as he allegedly manoeuvred to secure judicial appointments for his family members and loyalists.
Recent revelations suggested that Ariwoola has been actively securing prominent positions for his relatives within the judiciary.
The latest beneficiary of this alleged nepotism was his daughter, Oluwakemi Victoria Ariwoola, who is reportedly being considered for the position of judge at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
This move came on the heels of Ariwoola’s successful efforts to elevate his son, Kayode Ariwoola Jnr, as a federal judge and his younger brother, Adebayo Ariwoola, as the auditor of the National Judicial Council.
His nephew, Lateef Ganiyu, recently attained a promotion to the Appeal Court, further fueling concerns about the extent of nepotism within the judiciary.
Despite attempts to seek clarification on these appointments, the Chief Justice and a spokesperson for the Supreme Court have avoided addressing the issue, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the judicial system, reports noted.
The controversy deepened when it was revealed that Ariwoola began lobbying for his daughter’s appointment after receiving a letter from Husseini Baba-Yusuf, the chief judge of the FCT High Court, notifying him of vacancies on the court.
Despite guidelines requiring nominations from specific states, it appears that Ariwoola sought to manipulate the process to favour his daughter, even at the expense of states with no representation in court.
Mrs. Ariwoola’s nomination is particularly concerning due to her limited experience as a junior magistrate, with only three years in the legal profession.
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