Sequel to the resignation of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as Chief Justice of Nigeria on Monday 27th of June, 2022, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
He is expected to serve in acting capacity until confirmation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the national assembly.
However, the information on the website of the Supreme Court that Ariwoola was born in Iseyin, Oyo state, on August 22, 1958, raised a lot of questions.
In the midst of the inconsistency, the date of birth was edited and deleted and subsequently replaced by “he was born over 60 years ago”.
The site said he began his primary education less than a year later in 1959 at the Local Authority Demonstration School, Oluwole, in his hometown. He would spend eight years in school before graduating in 1967.
However, according to his resumè released by the Apex Court, the CJN was born on the 22nd of August 1954 in Oke Ogun Area of Oyo state, and commenced his education at Local Authority Demonstration Primary School from 1959 to 1966, from whence he moved to Muslim Modern School from 1967 to 1969.
According to his resumè, he had University education at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) between 1977 and 1980, and then proceed to the Nigeria Law School in 1980.
Ariwoola was called to Bar in July, 1981.
This clarification on the new Acting CJN’s credentials was corroborated by the Spokesperson of the Supreme Court Festus Akande who debunked reports of any inconsistency in the bio of the new Acting Chief Justice.
