@POLITICSNGR

Below is a full transcript of President Muhammadu Buhari's speech on the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Nkanu Onnoghen.

"Fellow Nigerians,

A short while ago, I was served with an Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal issued on Wednesday 23rd January 2019, directing the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen from office pending final determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and several other fora relating to his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

2. The nation has been gripped by the tragic realities of no less a personality than the Chief Justice of Nigeria himself becoming the accused person in a corruption trial since details of the petition against him by a Civil Society Organization first became public about a fortnight ago.

3. Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law.

4. Perhaps more worrisome is the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s own written admission to the charges that he indeed failed to follow the spirit and letter of the law in declaring his assets, citing ’’mistake’’ and ’’forgetfulness’’ which are totally unknown to our laws as defences in the circumstances of his case.

5. One expected that with his moral authority so wounded, by these serious charges of corruption, more so by his own written admission, Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen would have acted swiftly to spare our Judicial Arm further disrepute by removing himself from superintending over it while his trial lasted.

6. Unfortunately, he has not done so. Instead, the nation has been treated to the sordid spectacle of a judicial game of wits in which the Chief Justice of Nigeria and his legal team have made nonsense of the efforts of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to hear the allegation on merit and conclude the trial as quickly as possible considering the nature of the times in which we live.

7. Whether deliberately or inadvertently, we have all seen the full weight of the Chief Justice of Nigeria descend on the tender head of one of the organs of justice under his control. There is simply no way the officers of that court, from the Chairman to the bailiffs, can pretend to be unaffected by the influence of the leader of the Judiciary.

8. Not only the trial court, but others have been put on the spot. Practically every other day since his trial commenced, the nation has witnessed various courts granting orders and counter-orders in favour of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, all of them characterised by an unholy alacrity between the time of filing, hearing and delivery of judgment in same.

9. The real effect has been a stalling of the trial of Justice Onnoghen, helped along by lawyers who insist that these orders, whether right or wrong are technically valid, and must be obeyed till an appellate Court says otherwise. No doubt, that it is the proper interpretation, but is it the right disposition for our nation?

10. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy and no one must be, or be seen to be, above the law. Unfortunately, the drama around the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria has challenged that pillar of justice in the perception of the ordinary man on the street. For it is certain that no ordinary Nigerian can get the swift and special treatment Justice Onnoghen has enjoyed from his subordinates and privies in our Judicature.

11. In the midst of all these distracting events, the essential question of whether the accused CJN actually has a case to answer has been lost in the squabble over the form and nature of his trial. This should not be so.

12. If Justice cannot be done and clearly seen to be done, society itself is at risk of the most unimaginable chaos. As a Government, we cannot stand by wailing and wringing our hands helplessly but give our full backing and support to those brave elements within the Judiciary who act forthrightly, irrespective of who is involved.

13. As you are all aware, the fight against corruption is one of the tripod of policies promised to Nigerians by this administration. Needless to say that it is an existential Policy which must be given adequate attention and commitment by all the three arms of government. The efforts of the Executive will amount to nothing without the cooperation of the Legislature and especially the Judiciary.

14. It is no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate in which the Supreme Court of Nigeria under the oversight of Justice Walter Onnoghen has serially set free, persons accused of the most dire acts of corruption, often on mere technicalities, and after quite a number of them have been convicted by the trial and appellate courts.

15. Since there is nothing the Executive Arm can do after the apex court of the land has spoken on any matter, several of these individuals walk free among us today, enjoying what are clearly the proceeds of the corruption which for so long has defeated the efforts of this nation to develop and prosper.

16. It is against this background that I have received the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal directing me to suspend the Chief Justice pending final determination of the cases against him. It also explains why I am not only complying immediately, but with some degree of relief for the battered sensibilities of ordinary Nigerians whose patience must have become severely over-taxed by these anomalies.

17. In line with this administration’s avowed respect for the Rule of Law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.

18. Accordingly, I hereby suspend the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, GCON as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

19. In further compliance with the same Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I hereby invite Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC, being the next most Senior Justice in the Supreme Court, to come forward to take the Judicial Oath as Chief Justice of Nigeria in an Acting Capacity.

20. Fellow Nigerians, we can only stand a chance to win the fight against Corruption, and position our dear nation for accelerated development when we stand together to contend against it.

Thank you and may God bless our country.

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-buhari-speaks-suspension-cjn-onnoghen-full-statement/

fighting corruption while u sleep,wine and dine with corruption itself.

Guess this is the battery of corruption you've been fighting Mr.President:

-1).The ICPC/police gave silly silly reason why they cant arrest or prosecute Kemi Adeosun/Adebayo Shittu who is still a minister of the Federal Republic despite not even attaining the NYSC scheme.

-2).EFCC have also given reason why Maina could not be arrested/prosecuted.Now they're also telling a bewildered nation why the DSS-indicted APC party chair Oshiomole not be investigated.

-3).Prof.Sagay have justified why Madam Kemi should continue in her NYSC certificate forgery/perjury criminality while the same fool is shamelessly calling for the prosecution of the CJN.

-4).Obono-Obla have justified why Abdulrasheed Maina should be retained back then by the government.While president Buhari have inturn kept Obono-Obla in position despite overwhelming evidence he forged WAEC certificate to study Law @ Univ.of Jos.

-5).President Buhari have defended & exornerated Lawal Babachir/Ibrahim Magu/NHIS Sec & now the almighty Ganduje babanriga bullion van dollar bribe scandal even calling him a "responsible" corrupt man with integrity.)

-6).Lawal Daura have defended why Ayo Oke(NIA/Ikoyi-gate) and Ita Epenyong should never be investigated by the EFCC.

-7).The presidency have exonerated Aisha #2.5B "gifts" Scandal, VP Osinbajo's 5.58B NEMA scandal, Ahmed Sirika's #1.5B imaginary "Air Nigeria" scam.

Pls argue with your brain as far as this govt.is concerned.

And now behold where your fighting corruption have landed you and Nigeria Mr.President;

.".......In 2012, Nigeria was placed at 139th position, In 2014, Nigeria gained 3 steps and was placed at 136th position.Under Buhari, Nigeria has lost many positions down to 148th..."
http://saharareporters.com/2018/02/21/transparency-international-ranks-nigeria-148th-worlds-least-corrupt-country

stephleena:
shove it into ur ass Mr man. .fighting corruption while u sleep,wine and dine with corruption itself

You can use it in yours.

Have you watched house of cards?

He has just kept the judiciary busy, he has succeeded in dividing them, he was two steps ahead of Onoghen and his allies.
By Monday you will hear accelerated rulings on Rivers, Kwara and Zamfara APC crisis which is the main reason for this action.
Onoghen will come back but he will come to go.

Oga chop shit

Wetin happen to the ones accused of corruption

What did you do?

I urge saraki to impeach this nemesis called buhari
It's now or never

There was a country! Niger Delta Republic or Death!

NOC1:

You can use it in yours.

. U could join him as well. . shove it in neatly

stephleena:
fighting corruption while u sleep,wine and dine with corruption itself.

Very well explained as Onnoghen also admitted to the wrong doing

But the timing though.

Very well written but we know it’s political. The timing is very wrong and seems desperate. We know almost all our judges/justices collect bribe.

3. Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law

4 It is no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate in which the Supreme Court of Nigeria under the oversight of Justice Walter Onnoghen has serially set free, persons accused of the most dire acts of corruption, often on mere technicalities, and after quite a number of them have been convicted by the trial and appellate courts.

Oh my God!!!

Shalama:
There was a country! Niger Delta Republic or Death!

Go siddon.

what do you think



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See buhari,see moral authority......

Wow

My only problem is how is it that the same category of people who applauded the suspension of Emir Sanusi of CBN by Jonthan because he blew the whistle of " America will know" corruption are now shouting and lamenting about Mr President exercising the same powers? Nigeria did not burn then...Nigeria will not burn now...
Buhari will win next elections
Nothing will.happen


All this only noise and rants should stop
Lol

Now who’s going to fight for us now?

How did we get scammed this badly?

Please if you think you have sense, reply to this comment and explain to me why you still think people will not vote Buhari this year.
The man has at least some sense of integrity, please give him one mortuary standard kunu there.

Where is the CCT order?

Can the CCT please speak up?

Sai baba Ma nigga

Buhari you are only fooling yourself ..there is no where on the Nigerian constitution where the CCT is empowered to suggest to removal of any head of the 3 Arms of Govt!!!! so next the CCT will order the suspension or the Senate President and Speaker ? our constitution is clear and you have breached it in a manner capable of destroying the peace

I never see a tribal bigot , nepotism president like Buhari before. What a wastage sperm.

A man surrounded by corrupt politicians suspending the CJN. Buhari your days are numbered in asorock, enjoy your stay there while it last.

we are not ready to. listen to ur statement dullard