Anxiety over CJN’s health, COVID-19 status

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Justice Ibrahim Saulawa of the Supreme Court.

He disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the national headquarters of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association, adding that the CJN was receiving treatment in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

But the Director of Information, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Dr Festus Akande, said there was no medical report to show that the CJN was positive for COVID-19.

Justice Muhammad was absent from Monday’s new legal year ceremony of the Supreme Court where he was scheduled to preside over the inauguration of 72 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

His absence was noticed when the other 19 justices filed into the courtroom, marking the commencement of the programme.

The reason for Justice Muhammad’s absence was not disclosed as the event.

The event was presided over by the next most senior justice, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour.

Justice Rhodes-Vivour serves as the deputy chairman of the National Judicial Council, ranking next to the CJN as the chairman.

But Akande denied that the CJN was sick.

He explained that the CJN’s absence at Monday’s swearing-in of the SANs should not be interpreted to mean he was sick.

“It’s necessary to state that there’s no iota of truth in the claim being peddled by the publication, as there hasn’t been any indication made public or otherwise that has shown any anxiety over the CJN’s health,” Akande said.

He also said, “In furtherance to the press statement earlier issued, I wish to state categorically clear that there is no medical report so far made available by anybody indicating that the CJN has tested positive for coronavirus.

“Those peddling the rumour should go a step further to confirm from their sources and equally obtain the copy of whatever laboratory test result they are relying on.”