Chief Justice of Nigeria ,CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has emphasized the need for the judiciary to be steadfast in upholding the rule of law and shun the influence of emotions and public sentiments in their judicial decisions.
He said this at the opening ceremony of the special session of the 2023/2024 legal year and the swearing-in of 58 newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria ,SANs, in Abuja on Monday, he stressed the importance of judges remaining firm and impartial by resisting external pressures.
Speaking about perceived bias in rulings related to electoral disputes, which led to the removal of some governors and lawmakers, the CJN urged judicial officers to uptimise honesty, courtesy, and humility in their interactions with litigants, witnesses, and members of the bar.
He insisted on the necessity of adhering to the law, regardless of the individuals involved, and cautioned against being swayed by public opinions or emotions.
He declared, “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.
“We should never be overwhelmed by the actions or loud voices of the mob or crowd and now begin to confuse law with sentiment or something else in deciding our cases.
“Nevertheless, unnecessary and unwarranted utterances are bound to embarrass not only others, but the Judge himself; thus what should be asked, should be asked, and what should not be asked, should be avoided.”
He asserted the commitment of the nation’s judiciary to safeguarding the rule of law and its independence, while reassuring the public of the judiciary’s dedication to fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
He also announced plans to ensure that the Supreme Court achieves its full complement of 21 justices, which is the constitutional requirement.
Highlighting the efforts of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO), the CJN acknowledged the progress made in fast-tracking the trial of corruption and financial-related crimes. He cited 10 convictions by the ICPC and 1,094 by the EFCC during the 2022/2023 period.
As the judiciary performs its role in dispensing justice, the CJN further affirmed the importance of upholding principles of impartiality, integrity, and adherence to the law in the face of public scrutiny.
The commitment to an independent and robust judiciary remains pivotal in maintaining public trust and confidence, he concluded.
