Former CJN Ariwoola Reflects on the Weight of Justice and a Clear Conscience

• Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has reflected on his years on the bench, revealing that every verdict he delivered was guided by fairness, evidence, and the fear of God — not influence or personal interest.

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has said he left office with a clear conscience, affirming that all his judgments were delivered without bias or personal interest.

In an exclusive interview in Lagos on Friday, the retired jurist stated that throughout his judicial career — from the lower courts to the Supreme Court of Nigeria — he was guided only by the principles of fairness, evidence, and divine fear.

Ariwoola, who served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria between 2022 and 2024 (learn more), said his integrity as a judge allowed him to sleep peacefully after every decision, knowing he had done what was right.

“I handled cases strictly on merit throughout my judicial career. I also served as Chairman of the Armed Robbery Tribunal for about three years at the trial court, where I delivered judgments based on evidence and the law, without bias. Those deserving conviction were sentenced, and those who should be freed were discharged. I did so with a clear conscience and without regret,” he said.

The former CJN recalled serving on several Election Petition Tribunals and Appeal Panels across Zamfara, Enugu, Benin, Port Harcourt, Yola, and Ilorin, before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.

DON’T MISS: Calm Returns to Anambra as INEC Completes Final Preparations for Governorship Election

Ariwoola also dismissed suggestions of religious bias in Nigeria’s judiciary, stressing that insecurity and terrorism in the country have no connection to faith.

“The Boko Haram issue is not religious. Kidnapping and terrorism have nothing to do with religion. I attend church when I can. My eldest sister, from the same mother, was a Baptist, and I used to go to church with her. There is no Christian song I cannot sing with them. Neither Christians nor Muslims should be against each other because our God is a God of peace,” he explained.

Calling for peace and unity among Nigerians, the former Chief Justice urged citizens to look beyond ethnic and religious lines, noting that true justice and national stability can only thrive in an environment free from hate and prejudice.

“Nigeria will only know peace when we stop seeing one another through the lens of religion and tribe. We are all brothers and sisters,” he concluded.