Disobedience to court orders will attract grave consequences, Chief Justice of Nigeria warns

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has warned against disobedience to orders issued by courts, stating that it would attract grave consequences.

The CJN issued the warning in Abuja on Friday at the launching of the 9th House of Representatives Legislative Agenda.

While the CJN did not mention a specific case, the warning is coming at a time when the Federal Government and security agencies are under criticisms for the continued detention of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), Publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, among several other Nigerians, despite court orders freeing them.


Muhammad, who was represented by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, stated that justice must be served without fear or favour while every law must be obeyed.

He said, “I will like to assure you that as you embark on this important voyage of national rebirth and reinvigoration through effective, people-oriented legislation, the judiciary is solidly behind you. Since our role is strictly limited to the interpretation of the laws of the land, we will not leave any stone unturned in that respect. You can rest assured that you already have a good and dependable ally in the Nigerian judiciary.

“We will on our part, as usual, vigorously pursue the observance of the rule of law by all citizens. There is no sacred cow anywhere, as no one is above the law, no matter his or her position in the society.

“Justice must be served without fear or favour. Every law of the land must be obeyed. Let me assure everyone present here that the consequences of disobeying lawful court orders will be too grave to bear. We all should gird our loins to do our constitutionally assigned duties with due diligence so that Nigeria can be the pride of everyone.”