By Reporter
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has finally admitted that indeed, Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola traveled to London as earlier reported by the Nigerian press.
The confirmation comes amidst reports of secret meeting with the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC in London.
The statement by the Court this Friday, March 24, 2023, debunked the claims that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola met with Tinubu in London.
SaharaRepoerters, a leading investigative news channel had reported that the CJN traveled out of Nigeria to have private discussion with Tinubu in London, allegedly on the suits filed against him by opposition parties over his victory in the 2023 presidential election.
The spokesperson of the Supreme Court, Festus Akande, in reaction to reports described it as false.
Akande noted that though Ariwoola travelled out of the country, he was out for medical care and not to meet with Tinubu.
He explained that; “…the CJN has been in Nigeria, and presided over meetings of the National Judicial Council (NJC) held on 16 and 17 March.”
Akande explained that the CJN only travelled out of Nigeria briefly to London on 18 March 18, 2023, four day before Tinubu jetted our for Paris and London for a reported medical care.
According to the statement, the CJN was accompanied by NJC’s Secretary, Gambo Saleh.
Akande disclosed that Ariwoola only returned back to the country yesterday, March 23, 2023. This further confirm reports that the CJN was forced out of London due to the revelation of his alleged meeting with Tinubu.
“On 23 March, the CJN returned from his medical trip to London and later reported in the office (in Abuja), where he worked till 8 p.m.” The Supreme Court release stated.
It will recalled that a section of the Nigerian media had reported that Ariwoola was sighted on his way out of a Park Lane London hotel yesterday.
From the official explanation, Ariwoola was only away for six days from Nigeria for his so-called medical care.