The Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Tuesday, warned politicians and the public not to disregard the rule of law, as he also warned against contempt of the judiciary, saying he would not tolerate those under his watch.
Ariwoola stated this at the Conference of Attorneys General which held in Abuja, noting that the silence of the judiciary must not be mistaken for weakness or vulnerability.
The CJN, who was represented by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said, “I wish to let whoever cares to listen know that nobody no matter his or her position in society should mistake our golden silence for weakness or vulnerability.
“The judiciary under my watch will not sit by the sidelines to watch the temple of justice and ministers of justice being flagrantly chastised and whipped into silence.
“No one in this country is permitted under any guise to take the law into his or her hands simply because he or she has the guns to wield.”
He stated that the earlier judicial officers and the courts were respected, the better for all Nigerians. This was as he charged stakeholders in the justice sector to ensure fairness, equity and the prevalence of the rule of law.
The CJN said, “Oppression and suppression of perceived enemies must not have a bearing on your conduct.
“Judicial officers must not suffer intimidation and chastisement and chief justices must not go cap-in-hand to beg for funds to run their courts.”
