Election petitions: We will never be overwhelmed by public sentiments – CJN, Ariwoola says amid knocks on judiciary

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has underscored the judiciary’s commitment to avoiding succumbing to public sentiments in their judgments.

Despite criticism from many Nigerians who accuse the judiciary of bias, especially in electoral matters leading to the removal of some governors and lawmakers, Justice Ariwoola, speaking at the commencement of the special session for the 2023/2024 legal year and the induction of 58 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), urged judges to stand firm in their decisions.

According to him, public opinions and sentiments or emotions can never take the place of the law

“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.”