Public opinion can never override the constitution of Nigeria – CJN warns judges

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has said public opinion, no matter how serious or weighty it might be, cannot override or supersede the constitution of the country.

The CJN said this while inaugurating another batch of 23 Judges for the Federal High Court of Nigeria at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Wednesday, October 3.

According to him, the court is always guided by the law, particularly the Constitution, in its adjudication of cases. He, therefore, charged Judges in the country to always apply constitutional provisions in deciding each case that may be assigned to them.

“Several vitriolic att@cks are regularly heaped on the Judiciary; it is, however, crystal clear that public opinion, no matter how serious or weighty it might be, cannot override or supersede the Constitution of the country, which we apply in deciding each case,” he said.