The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has urged Nigerians to stop judging the performance of the judiciary in the ongoing anti-corruption fight.

He spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He was reacting to comments on the recent loss of corruption-related cases and allegations that the judiciary was involved.

He said, “I have told you that if you are not satisfied, the system is fashioned and designed in such a way that if you lose in the magistrate court and you are not satisfied; because someone must win and another must lose; so the loser has the chance of testing the decision on appeal.

“When it comes to the judiciary, don’t be judgmental. When you are judgmental, you become prejudice.”

While speaking on an alleged judicial gang-up against corruption fight, Onnoghen said, “I am not going to speculate. I am lawyer and judicial officer. I operate on facts and the law. So, I can’t answer that question because I am not on everybody’s mind.

“You are free to think whatever you want to think but I think you should be guided by facts and the law when it comes to judicial performance or discharge of judicial responsibilities.”

Azeez