By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

‎ABUJA – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Monday, refuted reports that he has within this month, hosted the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom‎ Wike, twice in his chamber at the Supreme Court.

The CJN, through a statement that was issued Monday by his media aide, ‎Mr. Ahuraka Isah, insisted that contrary to what was reported by a section of the media on Monday, ‎he said he never at any time had an audience with governor Wike in relation to any matter whatsoever.

He however acknowledged that Wike actually visited his office on July 6 and July 8.

According to the CJN, whereas he was not within the country the first time Wike visited his chamber, he ‎said that he was observing the interview of shortlisted applicants for the award of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on July 8 when the governor repeated his visit, and was only informed about the development the next day.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to insinuations in some dailies that the Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike had met with the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON during one of his visits to the office of the CJN on O6 July and 08 July this year.

“However, we would not have ordinarily wished to react to such stories except for the misinformation and the erroneous impression it may cast in the mind of the public.

“We wish to state with all emphasis that the CJN at no time had an audience with Governor Wike. This include before, on and after the said date.

“For further clarification, during the week of the purported first visit by the Governor Wike on 06 July, 2015, his Lordship was away in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah. On the date of the alleged second visit, which was on Wednesday 08 July 2015, the CJN was in Court observing the interview of shortlisted applicants for the award of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“A senior official in the CJN chamber intercepted Governor Wike and advised that it is a policy of the CJN not to entertain visits of politicians especially those with cases in the courts.

“Consequently, Governor Wike left at that point, even though he tried to state reasons for his visit which included the issue of the appointment of substantive Chief Judge for his state and to thank the CJN for sending the Bayelsa state Chief Judge to swear him into the office.

“In fact, his Lordship was not even aware of the visit until the next morning. The CJN therefore did not see the Governor as reported in the said dailies.

“I wish to assure the good people of Rivers State and Nigeria that the CJN and indeed the entire Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria is veritably committed to upholding the integrity, neutrality and independence of our Judiciary. This is a responsibility, which we hold dear and will not shirk”.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governorship Tribunal will Tomorrow begin pre-hearing sessions on five separate petitions ‎that were lodged against Wike before the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal.