Why Ariwoola was in UK on March 18 – Supreme Court speaks on CJN meeting with Tinubu

The Supreme Court has debunked claims that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, met secretly with the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election is being challenged by both Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

There were reports that went viral that Ariwoola had disguised in a wheelchair and travelled to London, where he met with Tinubu.

However, the director of press and information at the Supreme Court, Festus Akande, insisted there is no iota of truth in the report.

Speaking with Premium Times, Akande said the CJN has been in the country and presided over meetings of the National Judicial Council (NJC) held on March 16 and 17.

Akande added that Ariwoola travelled out of Nigeria briefly to London on March 18 for medical care and was accompanied by Gambo Saleh, NJC’s secretary, only.

“On March 23, the CJN returned from his medical trip to London and later reported in the office (in Abuja), where he worked till 8pm.

“The only time the CJN travelled earlier this year was on January 25, when he travelled for Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia. He returned on January 29,” Akande said.