Boko Haram, terrorism have nothing to do with religion – Fmr CJN, Ariwoola

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has stated that the insecurity plaguing the country is not related to religion.

Ariwoola while speaking on the allegation of Christian genocide in a recent interview, said Nigeria’s insecurity problem cuts across religion and ethnicity, adding that citizens should unite.

He said, “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 also stated that his judgments in office were delivered without bias and his conscience is clear of guilt.

He said, “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 of conviction were sentenced, and those who should be freed were discharged. I did so with a clear conscience and without regret.”

Ariwoola served as Chief Justice from 2022 to 2024. Before his appointment, he was involved in the Election Petition Tribunals in Zamfara and Enugu states in 1999, and he participated in the Election Appeal Courts in Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin, Yola, and Ilorin at various times.

He was sworn in as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2005 and became a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2011.