At the opening of the special session for the 2023/2024 legal year, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola reaffirms the judiciary's commitment to resisting influence from public sentiments, often labeled as the 'mob.'
The CJN addresses concerns about bias in recent electoral dispute rulings, urging judges to maintain firmness in their decisions. Emphasizing the primacy of the law over public opinion, he encourages judges to separate emotion from logic and uphold the rule of law. The CJN also pledges to ensure the judiciary's independence, expressing confidence in soon achieving the full complement of 21 justices for the apex court.
He highlights the success of efforts to expedite corruption trials, citing 10 convictions by the ICPC and 1,094 by the EFCC in the 2022/2023 period. Additionally, the CJN provides insights into the Supreme Court's caseload, revealing the court's proactive role in adjudicating a diverse range of cases.
