JUSTICE DELIVERY : Public Opinion Can Never Override Constitutional Provisions – CJN Warns Judges

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has charged Judges in the country to always apply constitutional provisions in deciding cases that may be assigned to them.

He explained that judicial officers still owe their conscience and the generality of the Nigerian masses, 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.

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

He said several vitriolic attacks are regularly heaped on the judiciary but it is crystal clear that public opinion, no matter how serious, cannot override the Constitution.

The CJN also clarified that public opinion, no matter how serious or weighty it might be, cannot override or supersede the constitution of the country.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) however warned that appointment to the bench is not an opportunity to accumulate wealth, pursue vanity, exhibit dishonesty, or live an extravagant lifestyle courtesy of corrupt connections.