The suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari has been condemned by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)

The association rejected Justice Onnoghen’s suspension in statement personally signed by its National President, Mr Paul Usoro.

It alleged that the action of President Muhammadu Buhari was an attempted coup agains the judiciary and suspension of the Nigerian Constitution by the Executive.

The NBA added that the action of the Executive depicted a slide into anarchy and complete deconstruction of the rule of law and due process.

According to the association, President Buhari’s action amounts to an absolute breach of the Constitution and the usurpation of the powers of the Senate and the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Following the suspension of Justice Onnoghen, President Buhari had appointed and sworn in Justice Tanko Mohammed as acting CJN.
President Muhammadu Buhari shakes hands with acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, at the State House in Abuja on January 25, 2019. Inset: Justice Walter Onnoghen.

He said he took the decision at the request of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over allegations that Justice Onnoghen failed to declare his assets.

The President’s action has sparked mixed reactions across the country, including a call on the National Assembly by the Peoples Democratic People (PDP) to take legislative actions against him.

But the Presidency had insisted that there was no political undertone in the suspension of Justice Onnoghen, saying it was purely about fighting corruption.

Read the full statement from the NBA below;

COUP AGAINST THE NIGERIAN JUDICIARY AND SUSPENSION OF THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION

The news media has been awash this evening with the news of the purported suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honorable Mr Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the swearing-in of Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

We are told that this was pursuant to an Ex-Parte Order that was issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday, 23 January 2019.

The Nigerian Bar Association unequivocally rejects and condemns this attempted coup against the Nigerian Judiciary and evident suspension of the Nigerian Constitution by the Executive arm of the Federal Government.

The action of the Executive portends a slide into anarchy and complete deconstruction of the Rule of Law and due process.

It amounts to an absolute breach of the Constitution and the usurpation of the powers of the Senate and the Nigerian Judicial Council.

It is unfortunate that the Executive Branch of Government purports to suspend the CJN on the basis of an alleged ex-parte order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal – the same Tribunal that, to the knowledge of the Executive, had, only the previous day, Tuesday, 22 January 2019 adjourned its proceedings to Monday, 28 January 2019 and has before it a Motion on Notice that is yet to be argued, seeking the same reliefs as were contained in the purported ex-parte application, to wit, the suspension of the CJN, amongst others.

We call on the Federal Government to avert the looming constitutional crisis precipitated by its ill-advised action.

In particular, the Nigerian Bar Association demands the reversal of the purported suspension of Honourable Mr Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON.

We also call on the National Assembly to assert its constitutional authority and powers and prevent this slide into chaos and erosion of the Rule of Law.

Paul Usoro, SAN

President.

Cc:
OAM4J
Mynd44


Source:
www.ezytalkz.com/nba-condemns-the-suspension-of-justice-w

.

My own is that Saraki must impeach the dullard tomorrow whether by 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 or even zero third, since Nigeria has been thrown into a complete state of Lawlessness.

Buhari managed to surpass his dull standards with the CJN issue. Even Osinbade is said to still be in shock.

Day 1: Buhari announces the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Expected Reaction: PDP would threaten fire and brimestone, internet sponsored posts will floor everywhere, ipob Yoots will open countless threads abusing Buhari, PDP will use their lobbyist to cause UK, US, EU to issue statements but they would call for caustion. Saraki and Dogara will issue statements condemning Buhari. NBA will issue statements. Many SANS will Condemn Buhari's Action.



Day 2: The Acting CJN, will swear in the Election Tribunal members. The reality will start to sink in that a New CJN is actually in Charge. The rage will increase on the internet, however by this time with caution from Lawyers.

Day 3: They would be pockets of protests in some embassies, though the turn out may not be more than 15 people. NBA will meet and issue another statements and unenforceable communique.

Day 4: The Senate will reconvene to lament by members of the opposition. Oshiomole will meet with APC caucus before the plenary. At the end of the day, they would be incoherent motions at the floor of Senate. 

Then The FG will formally write the international community assuring them of preservation of rule of law and warn them to stop meddling in the internal affairs of Nigeria.

Day 5 : Support for the president will start swelling, Lawyers will start giving different interpretation of issues. Onnoghen lawyers will approach the court for grievances. Meanwhile the acting CJN will get busy with work.

Day 6 : PDP will resume Campaign amidst wailing and name calling. INEC will intensify preparation for the Elections.

Day 7: Onnoghen is forgotten, everybody becomes fine.

i cant even believe some Nigerians still support buhari. are they being paid or what? even the so called atiku should not be voted for.....its high time nigerians got wiser. do these foolish nigerians know that the money these folks loot can actually give them a better life? cant nigerians even stop to think for a while? why would you want to spend billions campaigning if not for selfish reasons because i know that going by what you are being paid alone...you cant recover those billions. Foolish nigerians...get wise