The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, says the Supreme Court’s silence on “well-orchestrated verbal assaults” on its judicial officers must not be mistaken for weakness or cowardice.

The CJN gave the warning in a statement issued by Festus Akande, the Supreme Court spokesperson, on Saturday in Abuja.

He warned that while the public could express their opinion, it was pertinent to be mindful of their attacks on judicial officers.

“We have watched with utter dismay some unfortunate events that have been unfolding in the country, particularly within the political landscape, for some days now.

“It is so disheartening to learn that some individuals and groups of persons who ought to know better and even assume the revered positions of role models to a larger proportion of the citizens are now, sadly, the very ones flagrantly displaying ignorance and infantilism in the course of defending the indefensible,” he said.

Mr Ariwoola noted that courts do not advertise or scout for cases for adjudication but, at the same time, are duty-bound to adjudicate on all matters that come before them to give justice to whoever justice is due, irrespective of status.

“No court in any clime is a Father Christmas, so no one can get what he or she didn’t ask for.

“Similarly, all matters are thoroughly analysed and considered based on their merits and not the faces that appear in courts or sentiments that attempt to becloud the sense of reasoning.

“So, for anyone in his or her right frame of mind to insinuate that the justices have been bought over by some unknown and unseen persons is, to say the least, a bizarre expression of ignorance, which definitely has no place in law.”

He said calling on the CJN to resign or attacking justices that sit on various panels, as exhibited by a faceless group, is rather prosaic.

“If political parties fail to organise themselves well by managing their internal wrangling maturely and now choose to bring themselves to the court: we are duty-bound to adjudicate in accordance with the provisions of the law and not the dictates of any individual or deity, as some people would want us to do.

“If political parties conduct themselves well and orderly too, the courts would definitely handle less cases, and the political atmosphere will be much healthier than it is currently,” he said.

Mr Ariwoola further pledged that the court would continue to discharge its duties to ensure the unity and development of the country.

He reiterated that attacks by groups, political parties, or individuals under any guise would not deter them but rather boost their resolve to do more for the country.

“It is not only petty but equally very unreasonable for anyone to hurriedly link the CJN to his state of origin and tribe simply because of a particular judgement of the court.

“As at this moment, over 600 cases have so far gone to court from just party primaries which were conducted by political parties without any encumbrance or interference from any external bodies.”

The CJN said that those who have cultivated the unfashionable penchant of constantly attacking the judiciary over every judgement or ruling should rethink and start channelling such robust energy into some ventures that are more developmental than destructive.

(NAN)