The trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), and his subsequent suspension by President Muhammadu Buhari have thrown up several legal debates, and opinions that have now put a strain on Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

“We are worried that the political gladiators even seem to revel in the crisis, appearing not to want the matter quickly resolved in some instance. Here, we condemn the subtle resistance by a section of the caucus in the Senate to oppose the intervention of the Supreme Court in the matter of the CJN’s suspension from office by the President.”

The claims and counter-claims by contending forces have exposed the loopholes and lacuna inherent in the nation’s legal system, and also brought to the fore, the tendencies of those in charge of our democratic institutions to abuse powers bestowed on their offices.

The developments have, no doubt, challenged the very foundation of the nation’s democratic institutions, with heightened worries for the independence of the judiciary and the principle of separation of powers.

“For Onnoghen, the number one judicial officer in the country, no argument can be made in favour of any righteous indignation as we are all equal before the law. We are dismayed at his claim of being forgetful over the subject of failing to declare all his assets as required by law.”

We are concerned that the image of the country is being battered among the committee of nations, as its ruling class makes mockery of the rule of law and judicial processes, due largely to greed and pursuit of group interest.

We are worried that the political gladiators even seem to revel in the crisis, appearing not to want the matter quickly resolved in some instance. Here, we condemn the subtle resistance by a section of the caucus in the Senate to oppose the intervention of the Supreme Court in the matter of the CJN’s suspension from office by the President. We, therefore, caution that nothing should be done to portray Nigeria as a theatre of the absurd where common sense is in short supply.

“On the part of President Buhari, the script, plot and uncommon haste deployed in the ouster of Onnoghen leave a lot of room for suspicion as to the real intentions. We support the argument that his approach to dealing with perceived corruption in the judicial arm of government did not follow constitutional provisions which require that the matter be laid, first, at the doorstep of the National Judicial Council (NJC).”

The major actors in the saga, namely the CJN and the Presidency, as well as the major political parties have taken actions, and made utterances akin to a desperate resort to self help and, in the process unnecessarily heating up the polity already heightened by an impending general elections.

For Onnoghen, the number one judicial officer in the country, no argument can be made in favour of any righteous indignation as we are all equal before the law. We are dismayed at his claim of being forgetful over the subject of failing to declare all his assets as required by law. Indeed, he made a mockery of himself and the nation’s statutes, when he all but confessed that he had run foul of the Code of Conduct set out for public office holders in the country. The admission casts a doubt on his character, competence and capacity.

Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/editorial-onnoghen-before-nigeria-descends-into-a-theatre-of-the-absurd/

We are not saying CJN should not be tried or that any individual is above the law, but what constitutional rights does Buhari has to remove or rather suspend the CJN
What are the right steps to be taken in removing or suspending a CJN as required by law?