Public opinion can never override constitution in justice delivery

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has said public opinion, regardless of its gravity or significance, cannot take precedence over the constitution of the country.

The CJN stated this on Wednesday at the Supreme Court in Abuja during the inauguration of 23 Judges for the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

He urged judges to consistently apply constitutional provisions when deciding cases assigned to them.

He said, “Several vitriolic attacks are regularly heaped on the judiciary. It is, however, crystal clear that public opinions, 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 added, “You must, at all times, rise above temptations and trials that might obstruct or even halt your rise to the pinnacle of your career. We are all humans, no doubt, but you display the humanism in you by doing those extraordinary things that people would ordinarily conclude that you cannot do.”