'Public opinions can never take the place of law' - CJN speaks amid court’s sacking of 3 governors

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has emphasised the judiciary's commitment to making decisions independent of public sentiment.

Amid accusations of bias in electoral dispute rulings resulting in the removal of governors and lawmakers, the CJN urged judges to stand firm.

Speaking at the commencement of the special session for the 2023/2024 legal year and the induction of 58 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Ariwoola reassured his dedication to upholding the rule of law, ensuring the judiciary's complete independence, and fostering public trust.

As reported by Daily Trust, CJN Ariwoola said: “I expect every judicial officer to work very hard and also be very honest and courteous to the litigants, witnesses and members of the bar, and discharge all your judicial functions with all the humility at your command.

“Even while doing this, it is still necessary to have at the back of your minds that public opinions, sentiments or emotions can never take the place of the law in deciding the cases that come before you.

“The law remains the law, no matter whose interest is involved. In all we do, as interpreters of the law, we should endeavour to severe the strings of emotion from logic and assumption from fact."

The CJN also announced plans to augment the Supreme Court's justices to meet the constitutional requirement of 21 members.

He highlighted the success of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO), initiated in 2018, in expediting trials related to corruption and financial crimes.

Notably, the committee contributed to 10 convictions by the ICPC and 1,094 by the EFCC during the 2022/2023 period. CJN rolls out stats of concluded cases in court from Sept 2022 to July 2023 Providing a statistical overview, Ariwoola disclosed that the Supreme Court dealt with 1,271 cases, including motions and appeals, between September 12, 2022, and July 11, 2023.

Among these were 388 political appeals, 215 criminal appeals, and 464 civil appeals. Additionally, the court considered 49 criminal motions, 153 civil motions, and two political motions.

During this period, the Supreme Court rendered 251 judgments, encompassing 125 political appeals, 81 civil appeals, 45 criminal appeals, and 91 rulings.