The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has urged politicians to allow the Judiciary, as an independent arm of government, to perform its function according to the laws of the country.
He also warned judiciary officers to leave politics for politicians so that they can discharge their duties effectively.
This happened as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde assured that his administration would continue to promote the independence of the Judiciary.
The duo spoke in separate remarks at a reception organised by the Oyo State government in honour of the CJN at the weekend.
In attendance at the event were four other governors, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the Oyo State Judiciary and other eminent dignitaries.
Makinde expressed joy that the state produced the CJN.
Makinde said his administration had created the enabling environment for the Judiciary to carry out its constitutional responsibilities because it recognised that the arm of government is the bastion of hope for the common man.
The governor, who noted that it was the first time in the history of Nigeria that Oyo State had produced the CJN, said the development heralded many pacesetting achievements for the state.
He said: “When my Lord Justice Amina Augie (JSc.) was talking, she said: ‘Our own Justice Kayode Ariwoola, but more of their own.’ So, the CJN belongs to everybody and to nobody.
“I thank God for tonight and for the fact that the Supreme Court was powerfully moved to Oyo State, and what you see here is Nigeria. We have my Lords from different states and geopolitical zones of this country.
“Most times, they come together, align and make decisions in the interest of this great country.
“For me, this is a turning point. For the first time in the history of Oyo State, we have produced the Number 5 Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So, old things have passed away and things have become new.”
Justice Ariwoola expressed appreciation to Makinde for honouring him and pledged not to let Nigerians down.
The CJN noted that there is no way anybody would write about Makinde as Oyo State governor and would not write that a CJN came from the state during his tenure as governor.
He said: “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 October 12, when I was sworn in as the CJN in substantive capacity, the governor expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the entire Oyo State, and the President just smiled, but maybe he did not understand.”
“The Lord single-handedly, as He has always done, did it for my governor. It is during his time that the Yoruba have the position of the CJN again, which it last had 37 years ago.
“So, this dinner that the governor has organised today is to give gratitude to God, because there is no way anybody would write about Seyi Makinde as governor of Oyo State and would not write that a CJN came from his place during his time as governor.
“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.
“The GCON is often given to the CJN upon being sworn in, but as a child of the Pacesetter State, I had been given the honour before I was sworn-in as the CJN.”
Justice Ariwoola also admonished politicians to allow the Judiciary to perform its function.
The CJN also warned the Judiciary to leave politics for politicians.
He said: “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. The law is not static. What we apply is law as it is made.”