CJN Ariwoola Laments Polticians Threaten Judges in Court

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, revealed that some politicians and other political stakeholders go as far as threatening judges over their cases in court in order to have favourable judgements.

The CJN expressed that the attention and emotions attached to political matters in Nigeria, makes the work of judges more excruciating, painstaking and, sometimes, endangering.

He added however that despite the operating circumstances, judicial officers must not succumb to pressure, but must always be guided by the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.

Justice Ariwoola made the submission at the opening session of a two-day workshop organised by the Court of Appeal for the review of last year’s election petition tribunals/courts and appeals on Monday in Abuja.

He cautioned judges and other judicial officers against succumbing to public opinions, emotions, or sentiments while performing their duties.

He disclosed and I read “Besides, the kind of attention and emotions attached to political matters in this country has collectively made our work more excruciating, painstaking and, sometimes, endangering, as we are occasionally exposed to threats, especially from some elements within the political fold.

Reacting to this is Professor CHIDI ODINKALU on a monitored Television programme yesterday evening, lets take a listen to him

The President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, announced that 99 panels, comprising three judges each, heard the litigations that arose from the 2023 general election.

She described last year’s election litigation season as very difficult and challenging in view of the volume of cases filed and commended the judicial officers involved for a job well done.

Dongban-Mensem, however, urged the workers to learn from the inadequacies of this year and improve on their shortcomings.