Supreme Court Says CJN Did Not Meet With Tinubu In London

The supreme court has denied claims that Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), had a secret meeting with Bola Tinubu, president-elect.

An online media had, on Thursday, reported that the CJN disguised in a wheelchair and travelled to London, where he met with Tinubu.

On Friday, Festus Akande, director of press and information at the apex court, debunked the report.

While speaking with Premium Times, Akande said the CJN has been in Nigeria and presided over meetings of the National Judicial Council (NJC) held on March 16 and 17.

Akande added that the CJN travelled out of Nigeria briefly to London on March 18 for medical care and was accompanied by Gambo Saleh, NJC’s secretary, only.

“On March 23, the CJN returned from his medical trip to London and later reported in the office (in Abuja), where he worked till 8p.m,” Akande said.

“The only time the CJN travelled earlier this year was on January 25, when he travelled for Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia. He returned on January 29.”

A video circulating on social media showed the CJN at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Central Mosque in Abuja where he attended Jumat prayers on Friday.