‘Judiciary A Mere Toy In Hands Of Corrupt Politicians’ – Aisha Yesufu Tells CJN

Human rights activist and social critic, Aisha Yesufu, has knocked the judiciary, describing it as a mere toy in the hands of corrupt politicians.

Yesufu was reacting to a statement by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, urging judges not to be overwhelmed by the sentiments of the “mob” while deciding on matters.

The CJN who spoke at the opening of the special session of the 2023/2024 legal year and the swearing-in of 58 newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), was reacting to allegations of biased judgement by the court on matters regarding the 2023 general elections.

Justice Ariwoola asked judges to remain firm, saying sentiment should not be confused with law.

He said, “It is still necessary to have at the back of your mind that public opinions, sentiments or emotions can never take the place of the law in deciding the cases that come before you.

“The law remains the law, no matter whose interest is involved. In all we do, as interpreters of the law, we should endeavour to sever the strings of emotion from logic and assumption from fact.

“We should never be overwhelmed by the actions or loud voices of the mob or crowd and now begin to confuse law with sentiment or something else in deciding our cases.”

In a post on her X account on Monday, Yesufu maintained that the judiciary was a mere toy in the hands of corrupt politicians.

She wrote, “The judiciary is the mob. A spineless, greedy and controlled one at that. A mere toy in the hands of corrupt politicians who have not hidden the fact that they are the masters of the judiciary.

“The CJN can fool himself all he wants, he knows it, the politicians know and flaunt it and the people know it.”