Public Opinion cannot override Constitution in Nigeria’s judiciary – CJN

 

Public opinion no matter how serious or weighty it might be cannot override or supersede the constitution of Nigeria.

 

The Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola made the clarification at the Supreme Court in Abuja while inaugurating another batch of 23 Judges for the Federal High Court of Nigeria on Wednesday.

 

Justice Ariwoola charged Judges in the country to always apply constitutional provisions in deciding each case that comes before them.

 

He said that, several vitriolic attacks are regularly heaped on the judiciary, but that it is crystal clear that public opinion, no matter how serious or weighty it might be, cannot override or supersede the Constitution of the country in which judges apply in deciding each case.

 

The CJN explained that judicial officers still owe their conscience and the generality of the Nigerians particularly those who are looking up to them, the great responsibility of good moral rectitude and acceptable conduct to uphold and consolidate the trust reposed in them.

 

Justice Ariwoola told the newly appointed judges to be guided by truth and the law as well as consider their appointments to the bench at this crucial period of our national history as not by accident but a divine ordination.

 

“By virtue of the oath you have just taken, you have, automatically, assumed new status and responsibilities in life. A new blank page in the Book of Life has just been opened for you, and as it is with public office, especially the Judiciary, you are completely opened to daily public scrutiny. 

 

The pen is right there in your hand to write whatever you desire to be the content of the new page that is now openly displayed in the public domain. 

 

Like I always say, even though judicial officers are not spirits or superhuman beings, so many impossible things are yet expected from them by society.”

 

Justice Ariwoola reminded the new judges that, the bench is neither for the indolent, the greedy nor those with dubious character, “who can easily fall for a plate of porridge offered by desperate litigants.”

 

He asked them to at all times, rise above temptations and trials that might obstruct or even halt their rise to the pinnacle of their career.

 

“We are all humans, no doubt, but you display the humanism in you by doing those extraordinary things that people would ordinarily conclude that you cannot do.”

 

“You have just entered into a lifetime covenant with the Almighty God and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Henceforth, whatever you do rightly will be counted, and accordingly, recorded in your favour”. 

 

The CJN said, “Your Appointment to the bench is not an appointment to wealth, vainglory, dishonest disposition or ostentatious lifestyle through corrupt acquaintances.”

 

He said the searchlight of the National Judicial Council beams brightly on all judicial officers across the country as the body should never be either by omission or commission, mistaken for a toothless Bulldog.

 

Many family members and well-wishers attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Dominica Nwabufo