The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Saturday asked the politicians to leave the judiciary alone to function in Nigeria.
Justice Ariwoola said this while speaking at a reception organised in his honour by the Oyo state government at the Manhattan Hall, Eleyele Road, Jericho, Ibadan.
The CJN also urged the judiciary on their part to leave politics to politicians in and across the country to enable them function effectively.
“I want to admonish the politicians to leave the judiciary alone for us to function. Let them do their own thing while we do ours too. Law is not static. What we apply is law as it is made,” he said.
Justice Ariwoola added, “I feel overwhelmed today and thank my governor. I want to assure Nigerians that we are ready and waiting and we shall not let down Nigerians. On the 12th of October, when I was sworn-in as the CJN in substantive capacity, the governor appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the entire Oyo state.
“His Excellency, I congratulate you so much and this is novel again. You moved four executives of their respective states to this dinner in appreciation of God.
“Your Excellency would have noticed that being a Pacesetter State, what happened on the day of my swearing-in was more of a Pacesetter event.”
Speaking, Governor Makinde said his administration will continue to promote the independence of the judiciary in the state as his administration has created the enabling environment for the judicial arm of government to carry out its constitutional responsibilities, because it recognise that it is the bastion of hope for the common man.
The governor stressed that it was the first time in the history of Nigeria that Oyo state would produce the Chief Justice of Nigeria and that the development has heralded many pacesetting achievements for the state.
The event was graced by Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia state); Samuel Ortom (Benue state) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu state).
Also present were justices of the Supreme Court, the leadership of Oyo state judiciary, legal luminaries, top officials of the Oyo state government, traditional rulers, among others.