The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has warned lawyers, litigants, and the public from making unguarded statements over matters before the courts.
The CJN, who was reacting to discussions in the print and electronic media over the Anambra State Central Senatorial District dispute which is now pending at various courts including the Supreme Court, said the action amounted to contempt of court.
In a statement through his Senior Special Assistant, Media, Awassam Bassey on Wednesday, the CJN reminded the public that rule of law remains the best solution to the country’s numerous problems.
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"To make matters worse, in such discourse, the language being used in describing the judgments of the Courts is not only ungentlemanly, degrading and contemptuous, but amounts to uncharitable insults which should not be encouraged in any decent democracy," he said.
"It is in the light of the above that the Hon. CJN continues to encourage parties and the general public to use only lawful means in the pursuit of remedies for their real and imagined grievances.
"The Hon. CJN reiterates his appeal to litigants, advocates and the public to refrain from making unsubstantiated and malicious allegations and complaints against Judicial Officers, and reminds Judges to consider invoking their inherent power of contempt where there are clear violations or infractions in respect of matters that are subjudice," he added.
Three judgements of the Court of Appeal in Enugu and Abuja had earlier ordered a re-run into the Anambra Central Senatorial District elections won by PDP candidate Uche Ekwunife on March 28, 2015 before a Federal High Court in Abuja on December 13, 2017 declared Obiora Okonkwo as the authentic winner of the election.
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