CJN urges judges against ruling on public opinion

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, urged the justices to uphold the law and not be swayed by public opinion.

He made this remark on Monday at a special session for the new legal year and the swearing-in of new senior advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

He said: “The law remains the law, no matter whose interest is involved”.

He advised the justices to separate emotion from logic and fact from assumption in their interpretation of the law. He warned them not to be influenced by the mob or the crowd and to avoid confusing law with sentiment or anything else.

“In all we do, as interpreters of the law, we should endeavour to sever the strings of emotion from logic and assumption from fact,” Ariwoola said.

“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.”

He encouraged the justices to be above board and to be bold in their adjudication.

“I admonish our judges to, as usual, receive what is tendered in court and eschew what is against the law and facts after thorough analysis and assimilation both in and out of court, which exercise is, of course, part of judgeship,” he said.

“The Caesar’s wife must be above board! Your image and reputation both inside and outside the court must be pristine and crystal clear to all and sundry.

“Like I said earlier, be bold in all your judgments by deciding cases without fear or favour, because fear and favour come in many hues and colours.”