The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has warned all judicial officers not to bow to public opinion in the dispense of justice.
According to report, the CJN stated that on no account should judges succumb to threat or intimidation in justice delivering. He urged them not to deviate from the law and do what is unconstitutional and at variance with existing laws.
Ariwoola stated this while speaking at the opening session of a two-day workshop organized by the Court of Appeal on Monday in Abuja. The event was to review the 2023 election petition tribunals/courts and appeals.
The CJN noted that “Political matters always tend to occupy the front burner of our adjudicatory activities. As all the subsisting electoral laws have placed some time frame within which they must be heard and decided.”
Ariwoola added: “Besides, the kind of attention and emotions attached to political matters in this country has collectively made our work more excruciating and painstaking. And, sometimes, endangering, as we are occasionally exposed to threats. Especially from some elements within the political fold.
“But like I always say, no amount of threat or intimidation should make a thoroughbred judicial officer to deviate from the law. And to pander to public sentiments and emotions, which are often misplaced.”
Justice Ariwoola, therefore, cautioned judicial officers against abusing their powers by engaging in wrong application of discretionary authorities.
He, however, urged the judicial officers to rather be propelled by their conscience. The CJN also added, “Once our conscience leads the way, every other good thing will naturally follow.”
In his submission, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, hailed the Judiciary for the stabilizing role it plays in the nation’s electoral process.
The AGF, however, singled out the Court of Appeal for its pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the nation’s electoral jurisprudence. This, he said, the Appeal Court has done through the exercise of its constitutional mandate.
Also, the President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, praised the judges. She, therefore, announced that 99 panels, comprising three judges each, heard the litigations that arose from last year’s general election.
Dongban-Mensom stated that this showed that a huge number of judges was taken out of the judicial system during the process.
The PCA, therefore, described last year’s election litigation season as “very, very difficult and challenging.” This is in view of the volume of cases filed. She, therefore, commended the judicial officers involved for a job well done.
Dongban-Mensem explained that the workshop was meant to review the last process and to identify areas of shortcomings. She added that it would used to find ways to improve the process.
The PCA also hailed the judicial officers for working assiduously to determine the various cases within time. She expressed happiness that neither the petitions nor the appeals lapsed.
Dongban-Mensem, however, sought the amendment of some portions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act. This, she said will help to improve the nation’s electoral system.
The PCA, therefore, identified some of the sections as 187, 233, 246, 285 of the Constitution. And Paragraph 85(2) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act.
She noted that from “some of these sections, particularly Section 285 of the Constitution, it is either they are in the process because of poor legal draftmanship or for a desire that was not properly expressed and appreciated.”
source: The Nation
