Civil Society Organizations under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Societies of Nigeria, CCSN, have again marched on to the National Assembly in protest against what they described as the seeming partisanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Mr Ariwoola had during a banquet held in his honour of Governor Nysome Wike in Port Harcourt, reportedly said that he was happy that his governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, was in Mr Wike’s camp of the G5 PDP governors.
Speaking at the National Assembly gate on Friday, the convener of the coalition, Ishaku Nathaniel-Balogun called on the National Assembly to institute a probe of the circumstances that led to statements credited to the CJN.
The groups had on Tuesday embarked on a peaceful protest to the National Assembly but were forcefully dispersed by a detachment of anti-riot policemen.
He said: “A few days ago, we came out to save our hard-fought democracy. The men of the Nigeria Police Force unleashed on us state powers, tear-gassing peaceful Nigerians who had assembled to voice their disappointment at the partisanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“The CJN had during the commissioning of a project in Rivers State made statements conflicting with the impartiality expected of the Judicial arm of government; known as the last hope of the common man.
“Today, we are emboldened by a common resolve to save Nigeria especially as we approach the 2023 general elections.
“As Nigerians, we join our voices with millions of Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the partisan nature the CJN has assumed.
“The Independence of the judiciary cannot be deemed satisfactory since the CJN has already taken a side in a political dispute within a political party out of the 18 others who are sponsoring candidates in the 2023 elections.
“We demand his immediate sack as Nigerians no longer have confidence in his person as an impartial judge.”
