Jibrin Okutepa, a lawyer, says Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), was not behind the fake news that Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), disguised to meet “a named politician” in London.
An online media had, on Thursday, reported that the CJN disguised himself in a wheelchair and travelled to London, where he met with Bola Tinubu, the president-elect.
The report claimed that Ariwoola departed Nigeria on March 11 via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
However, on Friday, Festus Akande, director of press and information at the Supreme Court, said there is no iota of truth in the report.
Okutepa, who is also a member of Obi’s legal team in a post on his official Twitter handle, exonerated Obi from being behind the news, saying “Obi does not represent and promote fake news”.
The lawyer said the LP candidate has respect for and confidence in the judiciary.
“That I am in the legal team of HE Peter Obi does not stop me from speaking the truth. HE Peter Obi does not represent and does not promote fake news,” Okutepa said.
“Those who are attributing the news of CJN disguising to meet a named politician to HE Peter Obi are mischievous and satanic.
“Mr Peter Obi has respect and confidence in the judiciary. That is why he has approached the court for justice. Justice we prayed for and justice we hope to get.
“Those who are attributing the news which was intended to denigrate the CJN to Mr Obi camp are evils and enemies of Nigeria.
“As a people we cannot destroy our institutions no matter how bad we feel. The judiciary is one of the institutions of democracy. We must respect those men and women who are on the bench.
“Those who feel bad about bad eggs in the judiciary must be civil in their criticisms.”
