The Supreme Court’s bench is poised to shrink to 10 Justices as Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad is set to retire on Friday, October 27, 2023.
Justice Dattijo’s retirement notice, which has been submitted to the Court’s management, will officially take effect on the specified date. To commemorate his retirement, a special valedictory court session will be held in his honor.
According to a statement released in Abuja by Dr. Akande Aweneri Festus, the Director of Press and Information for the Supreme Court, this valedictory session is scheduled to take place in the Main Courtroom of the Court at 10 am.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will preside over the special court session. During this session, he will pay tribute to Justice Dattijo, along with other prominent figures in the nation’s justice sector.
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Justice Dattijo’s career path includes a commendable rise to the Court of Appeal on November 21, 1998, originating from the Niger State Judiciary. He has served diligently in various Divisions of the appellate court. His appointment to the Court of Appeal was a recognition of his tireless dedication to his chosen profession, a deep-rooted passion for the law, and an unwavering commitment to the strict application of legal principles to all cases brought before him.
He officially assumed the role of a Justice of the Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 10, 2012.
As a result of Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad’s retirement, the Supreme Court of Nigeria will now consist of 10 Justices, as stated in the official statement.
It was recently reported by LEADERSHIP that the shortage of a sufficient number of Justices at the Supreme Court has been impacting the efficiency of the justice system, as the Justices currently serving on the bench have been shouldering a heavy workload.
