As CJN, Ariwoola Collected a Car From Wike, Who Was Gov of Rivers, Who Had Cases Before Him-Odinkalu

Professor Chidi Odinkalu has alleged that former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, accepted a Mercedes-Benz car from Nyesom Wike while Wike was serving as the Governor of Rivers State and had cases before the courts.

Speaking during an interview on Nigeria Info FM, Odinkalu argued that such actions have seriously damaged public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary. He also referred to reports of houses allegedly linked to the former Chief Justice but did not provide further details during the interview.

Odinkalu further criticized what he described as the conduct of some of the country’s most senior judicial officers, saying their actions had harmed the reputation of the judiciary and weakened public trust in its independence.

He also raised concerns about the current President of the Court of Appeal accepting an appointment from Wike to chair the IBB Golf Club in Abuja. According to Odinkalu, such a relationship between a senior judicial officer and a prominent politician would not have been considered acceptable in the past.

He said situations like these create the impression that judges may not be completely independent when deciding cases involving influential political figures. According to him, once that public perception is damaged, confidence in fair and impartial justice is also affected.

In his words, “As Chief Justice of Nigeria, and I’m going to go on record with this, as CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola collected a Mercedes-Benz car from Nyesom Wike, who was governor of Rivers State and who had cases before him.”