CJN, Ariwoola Was In London Solely For Medical Reasons

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, R.A. Lawal-Rabana SAN has described reports of the purported visit as wicked and unfounded.

In a response to TheNigeriaLawyer, Mr Rabana stated that he was on the same flight with the CJN returning to Abuja on the 23rd of March, 2023.

He stressed that there’s nothing secretive about his dressing. “He’s always with his head cap. That is he’s usually dress style” he noted.

He added, “I was on the same BA flight with CJN on the night of 22nd march arriving Abuja early morning of 23rd March.

There is absolutely no truth in the stories making round . Any one familiar with Heathrow airport know it’s normal for people to move from a boarding gate to another in a cart or wheelchair.

I personally chatted with the CJN and he mentioned He was in London for a brief Medical check . He was accompanied by the Secretary of NJC .How can this be a secret trip or disguised trip . Enough of this wicked and unfounded stories about the CJN.”

Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ahmed Raji SAN debunked the news that byChief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola had a meeting with the President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu in London as litigations challenging the latter’s declaration as President are set to commence.

According to Ahmed Raji, SAN the Head of Nigeria’s Judiciary was in London solely for medical reasons.

According to a Nigerian Tribune report, Raji stated that the alleged meeting between Tinubu and Ariwoola is false and aimed at tarnishing the image of the apex court.

He stated that Justice Ariwoola travelled to London on Saturday for his routine medical check-up and returned to Nigeria on Thursday morning.

Social Media as well as some traditional media was awash with reports on Wednesday indicated that Tinubu left Nigeria for France and would depart France to London and Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj.

Also, a Press Statement issued by the Director, Media, and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, refuted the report of any clandestine meeting between the duo.

In his statement, Raji said the report was another malicious attempt by some individuals to tarnish the image of the Supreme Court and the CJN after they had made attempts at attaching his name to some political parties to preempt outcomes of the legal tussles before the apex court.

“It is in the news since Tuesday evening that Tinubu was traveling to Europe for medical reasons as well as for lesser hajj, further reports indicated that he is in France to meet with his medical doctor, why would somebody now link that to the CJN that has left Nigeria for UK since Saturday to observe his own medical session and just came back today (Thursday) as meeting?

“Our politicians need to allow due process to take control, election matters are in the law courts, but that does not mean that the law Lords will not live their normal lives as human beings. Tinubu is in France and the CJN was in London. Where is the contact?” he asked.