Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent Nigerian lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, has expressed his disappointment with the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for attending a special dinner hosted by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The event, held at the Lagos House in Marina, was organized to honor Justice Kekere-Ekun, who recently became the second woman and the second person from Lagos State to hold the position of CJN since Nigeria’s independence.
In a series of tweets on his official Twitter handle, Odinkalu questioned the CJN’s decision to attend the dinner, given that Governor Sanwo-Olu is a litigant before the Supreme Court. He asked, “I suspect someone will tell me Madam CJN’s memory is wonky. If not, then how did she forget that the governor of Lagos State is a litigant before her @SupremeCourtNg?”
Odinkalu further criticized the CJN’s ability to maintain order among younger judges, stating, “How can she call younger judges to order when they fraternize in this manner or she just plainly can’t see it?!”
The lawyer expressed his initial willingness to give the new CJN a chance but found her actions disappointing. “I was really prepared to give Madam CJN a chance, but this here….? I’ll be plain: This truly sucks!!” Odinkalu tweeted.
The dinner invitation and the CJN’s attendance have raised concerns about the potential conflict of interest and the need for the judiciary to maintain its independence from the executive branch. As the head of the Supreme Court, the CJN is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and avoid situations that could compromise the impartiality of the judiciary.
Credit: The Nigeria Lawyer