The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has re-affirmed the judiciary’s commitment not to be overwhelmed by what he described as the sentiments of the “mob” in their decisions.
Recall that the judiciary has been in the eye of the storm following the controversial rulings on electoral disputes, which led to the sacking of some opposition governors and lawmakers.
Many have accused the judges of corruption and bias.
Ariwoola who spoke at the start of the special session of the 2023–2024 legal year and during the 58 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), urged judges to maintain their firmness
He 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.
“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.”