The Civil Society Consortium on Judicial Accountability (CSCJA) is demanding the immediate resignation of Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, citing allegations of abuse of office and favoritism in his duties.
The group, comprising lawyers advocating for public interest, voiced their discontent over what they perceive as nepotism in recent judicial appointments.
Their protest, held near the Supreme Court, centered on the CJN’s appointment of his own children to judicial positions. Specifically, they criticized the appointment of his son, Olukayode Ariwoola Junior, as a Federal High Court Judge, and his daughter, Oluwakemi Victoria Ariwoola, as a Judge in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Accusations were leveled against the CJN for allegedly exploiting his position as Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to recommend his children for these roles, bypassing other deserving candidates. Protesters displayed placards denouncing nepotism and calling for judicial accountability.
The consortium coordinator, Mr. Martin Obono, emphasized the importance of maintaining ethical standards within the legal system, highlighting the violation of Rule 11 (iv) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, which prohibits nepotism and favoritism.
The group demanded the CJN’s immediate resignation to restore public confidence in the judiciary and underscore a commitment to ethical governance. They also called for an independent inquiry into the nepotism allegations, suggesting that Justice Olukayode Ariwoola recuse himself from his position pending the investigation’s outcome.
Furthermore, they urged that if the CJN is found guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct, appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken.
However, when the National Judicial Council’s Director of Information, Barrister Soji Oye, was approached for comment, it was reported that he was on leave and out of Abuja.
