A protest against the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was on Tuesday forcefully dispatched by a detachment of anti-riot policemen of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Command of the Nigeria Police.
The protesters under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Societies of Nigeria CCSN had begun their protest from the Unity Fountain and were heading towards the Supreme Court before they were stopped around the Federal Ministry of Justice by policemen led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Altine Hyelhira Daniel.
The policemen fired teargas canisters at the protesters and journalists who were interviewing the leader of the protesters.
The protesters had accused the CJN of dabbling into partisan affairs, saying his utterances in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital while being a guest of Gov. Nyesom Wike, left much to be desired.
But the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola had three days ago denied the insinuation that he had indulged in political statement.
A statement by the Supreme Court on Saturday in Abuja dissociated the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola from a political statement on the activities of the five Governors of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), otherwise known as G-5 Governors.
The Apex Court in the first official reaction, said unequivocally that Justice Ariwoola never made any comments to the effect that he was happy that his home state governor, Seyi Makinde is among the G-5 Governors.
A statement by the Director of Information and Press, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Dr Festus Akande said that those crediting the CJN with the comments were just out to score cheap goals with the remarks of Justice Ariwoola at a public function in Port Harcourt, River State.