The Supreme Court has refuted reports that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, held a clandestine meeting with the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to viral online reports, Justice Ariwoola had been alleged to have disguised in a wheelchair and travelled to London, where he met with Tinubu.
Reacting to the reports, however, the Director of Press and Information at the Supreme Court, Mr. Festus Akande, denied any meeting between the two personalities.
Speaking with Premium Times, Akande said the CJN had been in the country and presided over meetings of the National Judicial Council (NJC) held on March 16 and 17.
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Akande added that Justice Ariwoola travelled out of Nigeria briefly to London, on March 18, for medical care and was accompanied by Gambo Saleh, NJC’s Secretary, only.
“On March 23, the CJN returned from his medical trip to London and later reported in the office (in Abuja), where he worked till 8pm.
“The only time the CJN travelled earlier this year was on January 25, when he travelled for Lesser Hajj, in Saudi Arabia. He returned on January 29,” Akande said.
Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election is being challenged by both Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.