The Supreme Court has denied that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, spoke to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, contrary to reports in the social media.
Giving assurance that nobody will be allowed to interfere with the Presidential Election Petition cases currently going on in court, the apex court, through the director of press and information, Dr Akande Festus, said the CJN did not speak to anyone concerning the cases at the tribunal.
He said, “In view of the rumour currently circulating in the social media space that the chief justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had a telephone conversation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the director-general of the Department of State Service (DSS) with a view to pressuring the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal on the likely judgement to give, it is imperative to state clearly that there is no iota of truth in the narrative, as there was no such telephone conversation between the CJN and anyone. Nigerians have been following the proceedings at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal with admirable enthusiasm.
“So, it is advisable we all sustain the tempo and follow it up to the end, instead of relapsing into the realm of speculations and rumour peddling that will not do anyone any good. If this current trend of falsehood and mudslinging is sustained, our nation may not make the desired progress.”
According to him, the courts are statutorily established to serve the best interest of the masses and they are ready to do their best.
He pleaded for cooperation with the judiciary to serve the country to its full capacity, adding that no one will ever be favoured against the other in any dispute.
“The rule of law and supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution will always be upheld and applied in every matter that comes before the courts, as the facts presented and the subsisting laws must be applied in determining the merit or otherwise of each matter. The public should rest assured that justice will be done to all matters pending in the various courts across the country, irrespective of who is involved,” Festus said.
Allegations Against CJN Reflect Trust Deficit In Judiciary -Prof Odinkalu
Former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu, yesterday said allegations against the chief justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, reflect trust deficit in the judicial system.
He stated this when he appeared on Channels TV evening programme, Politics Today.
He said Nigerians cannot trust the judiciary anymore, adding that there are facts to justify that, citing the judicial pronouncements in the cases of Senator Ahmed Lawan, Governor Hope Uzodinma and others.
He said “People no longer trust judges; the judiciary lives with a massive trust deficit. The Supreme Court and judiciary have realised that there is trust deficit against them and it’s up to them to address it”.
Speaking on the appointment of Olukayode Ariwoola Jnr as high court judge, he said the CJN ought to have recused himself from the committee.
“CJN should not appoint his son a high court judge no matter how good he is; if he must, then he should recuse himself.”
Commenting on the effects of subsidy removal, he said the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted in haste.
