I AM PROUD OF NIGERIAN JUDICIARY -RETIRED CJN

The former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday said he had no apologies for refusing to do the bidding of politicians who wanted to intimidate the judiciary.

His remarks came just as President Muhammadu Buhari swore in his successor, Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen, as the acting CJN. Onnoghen will be the first person from southern Nigeria to hold the post in 29 years after Justice Ayo Irikife stepped down in 1987.

According to him, it took the steadfastness of the judiciary to avert a replay of what happened during the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was presumably won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, during last year’s general election.

He said: “During the run up to the 2015 elections, our judicial officers withstood immense pressure, in order to guarantee a level playing field and smooth transition of government, which ensured that we were spared a re-enactment of the June 12 saga.

“In fact, the courts, thus securing the electoral process, disallowed so many frivolous matters aimed at truncating the electoral process.

“I must particularly commend the Supreme Court for refusing to be intimidated or influenced by any candidate or political party, and I make no apologies for the firm stand that we took in our decisions.

“I am proud to be a part of the Supreme Court which refused to be cowered into truncating the electoral process. I am proud to have headed this noble arm of government and steering it through some very stormy waters. I am proud of the Nigerian judiciary.”