CJN Ariwoola Inaugurates Election Petition Tribunal, Cautions Against Abuse Of Power

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, says he will not condone any act of recklessness or abuse of power and public trust from judicial officers.

Ariwoola said this at the swearing-in of members of the 2023 Election Petition Tribunals on Monday in Abuja.

“Your Lordships should count yourselves worthy to be so entrusted with this humongous responsibility of deciding the fate of those that would be contesting elections into various political offices in the country in 2023.

“Therefore, I will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public trust. This is a rare privilege and you must give a good account of yourselves,” he said.

According to the CJN, “there is virtually nothing that has not been seen or heard before, but you should be ready to see and hear more, especially as you begin to adjudicate on election matters in 2023.

“Even though I rejoice with you on this very important appointment, I still sympathise with you for the many troubles, inconveniences, verbal assaults and all sorts of uncomplimentary remarks that will be made about you by various litigants.”

He noted that trust is a burden but judicial officers must discharge it with utmost sincerity, honesty and transparency because conscience is an open wound healed only by the truth.

He warned them that all eyes are on them and that they should therefore always remember that their conduct will be publicly dissected and thoroughly scrutinised