Renowned human rights activist and social critic, Aisha Yesufu, has minced no words in her scathing critique of the Nigerian judiciary, likening it to a mere puppet under the control of corrupt politicians.
Her comments came in response to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s recent admonition to judges not to be swayed by public sentiments, particularly in cases relating to the 2023 general elections.
Justice Ariwoola made the remarks at the commencement of the special session of the 2023/2024 legal year and the induction of 58 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).
Emphasizing the need for judges to remain resolute, the CJN stated, “Public opinion, sentiment, or emotions can never supplant the law in adjudicating cases. Regardless of whose interests are at stake, the law stands supreme. As legal interpreters, we must strive to divorce emotion from logic and assumptions from facts.”
However, Aisha Yesufu took to her X account on Monday, asserting her stance on the matter. In her words, “The judiciary is synonymous with the ‘mob’—spineless, avaricious, and under the sway of malevolent politicians who brazenly declare their dominance over the judicial system. The CJN may delude himself, but the politicians openly wield their control, and the populace is keenly aware of this fact.”
The recent wave of judicial nullifications of elected officials’ victories in the last general elections has been a subject of controversy. Several governors, senators, and members of the House of Representatives, predominantly from opposition factions, were unseated by the courts.
Conversely, supporters of the ousted leaders decried the alleged manipulation of the judiciary by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
