July 19, (THEWILL) – The Supreme Court of Nigeria has refuted social media reports that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had a telephone conversation with President Bola Tinubu on the ongoing petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja.
The apex court said Justice Ariwoola neither spoke with Tinubu nor the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) with a view to pressurising the PEPC on the likely judgment to give in respect of the petitions challenging the outcome of the February 25 Presidential election in Nigeria.
The apex court made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday, by its Director of Press and Information, Akande Festus.
The statement reads: “In view of the rumour currently circulating in the social media space that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had a telephone conversation with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) with a view to pressurising the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the likely judgment to give, it is imperative to state clearly that there is no iota of truth in the narrative, as there was no such telephone conversation between the CJN and anyone.
“Nigerians have been following the proceedings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal with admirable enthusiasm. So, it is advisable we all sustain the tempo and follow it up to the end, instead of relapsing into the realm of speculations and rumour peddling that will not do anyone any good.
“If this current trend of falsehood and mudslinging is sustained, our nation may not make the desired progress.
“We wish to plead with everyone to cooperate with the judiciary to serve the country to its full capacity, as no one will ever be favoured against the other in any dispute.
“The rule of law and supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution will always be upheld and applied in every matter that comes before the courts; as the facts presented and the subsisting laws must be applied in determining the merit or otherwise of each matter.
“The public should be rest assured that justice will be done to all matters pending in the various courts across the country, irrespective of who is involved.”
