About five associate justices of the Supreme Court have called for the immediate resignation of Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola for allegedly being partisan leading to his interrogation by the State Security Service(SSS), on Tuesday.
According to The Gazette, the SSS and top officials of the court had requested the resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) following his comment applauding Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde for being a member of the ‘Integrity Group’ set up by Nyesom Wike and other governors of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
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The said group is said to have the ambition to derail and squash all efforts of the opposition parties ahead of the 2023 general elections in February 2023.
The group is also seeking the resignation of the national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, for allowing Atiku Abubakar, a northerner to emerge as the presidential candidate of the party.
Speaking at a gala night in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, the CJN had expressed his joy at the fact that Makinde had aligned himself with the group referred to as G5.
The CJN had said, “That is why we should not be scared to have these men of the Integrity Group, and I am happy that my own governor(Makinde) is among them because he would try to imitate his friend and in-law because we came here to marry for my governor.”
The Supreme Court however denied the statements claiming they were fake news until a video from the gala began circulating on social media proving the CJN had uttered the statements as quoted.
The justices are concerned that the CJN’s conduct was showing a clear sign of bias and it would affect his ability to impartially assign judges to cases without his integrity and intention being questioned.
An SSS source revealed that the CJN had refused to step down but associate justices are demanding his resignation to prevent further damage.
