CJN to politicians: Allow judges to perform their functions

CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has admonished politicians in the country to allow judges to perform their functions without distractions.

Justice Ariwoola equally warned judicial officers to leave politics for politicians.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Taiwo Adisa, the CJN said this on Saturday at a reception organised in his honour by the state government.

“I want to admonish the politicians to leave the Judiciary alone for us to function. Let them do their own thing while we do ours too. Law is not static, what we apply is law as it is made,” he said.

Justice Ariwoola further appreciated Governor Makinde for honouring him, pledging that he would not let Nigerians down.

In his remarks, Makinde said his administration would continue to promote the independence of the judiciary in the state, adding that his government has created the enabling environment for the judicial arm of government to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.

The governor, who acknowledged that the Judiciary is the ‘bastion’ of hope for the common man, said: “We will continue to allow the judiciary to function independently.

“The judiciary will be allowed to continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.”

Makinde expressed delight at the fact that the state produced Nigeria’s fifth citizen in hierarchy, noting that it was the first time in the history of Nigeria that Oyo State would produce the CJN.

He said the development has heralded many pacesetting achievements for the state.

The event had in attendance Justices of the Supreme Court, Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Others were the leadership of Oyo State Judiciary, legal luminaries, top officials of the Oyo State Government, and traditional rulers.

The Star