Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad's retirement from the Supreme Court has exacerbated the existing shortage of judges on the bench. Following the expiration of his retirement notice, he will leave the service on October 27, 2023, marking a significant loss for the court.
A valedictory court session is scheduled for this Friday in his honor, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, at the Supreme Court's Main Courtroom at 10:00 a.m. The session will involve tributes and acknowledgments from various stakeholders within the nation's justice sector.
Justice Dattijo's departure further reduces the number of justices at the Supreme Court, bringing it to an all-time low of only 10 judges. This leaves the court 11 justices short of its full complement of 21 justices.
Members of the House of Representatives have recognized the pressing need to address this situation. They have called on the Federal Government to appoint nine new justices to the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing and determination of cases, ensuring more efficient justice delivery in the country.
As the Supreme Court grapples with this challenging reduction in its ranks, it faces the crucial task of maintaining its role as the highest court of the land and ensuring the timely dispensation of justice.
