Head of Information, Media and Public Relations at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Kolade Umoru, has dismissed claims that judges sang “On Your Mandate” for President Bola Tinubu, insisting the viral allegation is entirely false and does not reflect what transpired at the National Judges’ Conference.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, Umoru, said he was physically present at the event and could “categorically” confirm that no judge sang any political lyrics at any point.
“The statement as reported is not only misleading, confusing and very false. It entirely doesn’t reflect the true event that happened,” Umoru said.
He explained that the conference, which assembled over 950 judges of superior courts, follows strict protocol whenever the President is scheduled to attend.
“For every official engagement where the President will be in attendance, there must be a high level of respect. I was there in the auditorium,”he noted.
According to him, security clearance meant that the entire gallery — where the Guards Brigade band was stationed — had been cordoned off before the judges entered, making it impossible for anyone to issue new instructions to the band.
Umoru clarified that only two songs were rendered during the programme, both being the national anthem.
“Mr President came in and the national anthem was sung. After the Chief Justice gave her address, the President moved from his seat to the podium, and the Guards Brigade sang from their own end — not a political song,”he explained.
“The national anthem was sung twice that day. There was never a time the judges sang ‘On Your Mandate.’ That was never.”
He stressed that judicial officers had “no business”participating in partisan chants.
“The judges have no business with that. They are not politicians. For their constitutional role, judicial officers would never sing ‘On Your Mandate’. No, no, no,”he said.
Umoru said the only moment the judges stood was when protocol required them to show respect during the national anthem and when the President approached the podium.
“When Mr President stood from his seat to walk to the podium, the Chief Justice stood as a mark of respect. And of course, once she stands, every other judicial officer will rise,”he explained.
He added that the NJI chose to clarify the matter because the falsehood had gone viral.
“We all understand where this is coming from. For whatever causes or reasons, we are not taking it very seriously, but we felt the need to clarify things,”Umoru stated.
He reaffirmed that the judges conducted themselves with professionalism consistent with their constitutional responsibilities throughout the event.
Boluwatife Enome
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