The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, has finally reacted to allegations of biased judgement on matters regarding the 2023 general elections.
DAILY POST reports that the election tribunals and the Appeal Court had nullified elections of public office holders who were elected in the last general elections.
Some governors, senators, and House of Reps members have been sacked by the courts over petitions by opposition parties.
Supporters of the sacked leaders had accused the judiciary of being hijacked and influenced by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
But speaking at the opening of the special session of the 2023/2024 legal year and the swearing-in of 58 newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Ariwoola asked judges to remain firm, saying sentiment should not be confused for law.
He urged judges not to be overwhelmed by the sentiments of the “mob” while deciding on matters.
He said, “It is still necessary to have at the back of your mind 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 sever 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”.
