CJN Urges Judges To Remain Fair In Judgements

The judges were urged by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to uphold the integrity that the judiciary is renowned for and to be impartial and resolute in their judgements.

The CJN made this remark at the commencement of the special session of the 2023–2024 legal year and swearing-in of 58 newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Abuja.

Ariwoola also expected every judicial officer to be diligent, truthful, and respectful to the litigants, witnesses, and members of the bar, and to perform all their judicial functions with all the modesty at their disposal.

The CJN assured to protect the rule of law, the complete independence of the judiciary, and the trust and confidence of the public, and reaffirmed the resolve of the judiciary not to be influenced by the sentiments of the public in their decisions.

He declared that the law was the law, regardless of whose interest was involved.

He instructed them that in everything they do, as interpreters of the law, they should strive to cut off the strings of emotion from logic and assumption from fact.

The CJN also reminded the judges that it was essential to remember that public opinions, sentiments, or emotions could never replace the law in deciding the cases that come before them.

He declared that the judiciary, as it stands today, is more worthy of public trust and confidence than ever before, and they are ready to reorganise it for effective justice delivery to make the country a notable destination in the observance of the rule of law and tenets of Constitutionalism.