Bearshare:


Obviously na, Wike's utterance two days ago in one of his campaigns was that his elections and that of pdp governors was DONE and DUSTED. Who makes such brags when your henchman (CJN) was under strings of indictive investigations. Now let's see what they will do.

Worse thing is that even Senate cannot resume plenary again until after elections due to his announcement on the floor. They all played themselves.

This is chess at his finest

They overplayed their hands and got caught slipping by PMB.

EponOjuku:


Shebi you said he can't be removed, now you're talking about compliance.

Lol
You never chi chum chin

Onnoghen made Wike a Life Bencher just this week. I have never seen a more daft judge in my life. Lay low and cleanse yourself, no. Ogboni wey him and Wike dey don run him head.

He'll be reinstated by the court after the election. Make e go rest.

Remove am naa.You made an announcement.Wait for it to succeed first before gloating.The order will not stand.

Acording to Section 11 of the Interpretation Act, Cap 123, Vol. 8, LFN, 2004, the President can suspend indefinitely but not remove without senate .

seunmsg:
According to Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmed, President Buhari has suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen and appointed Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed as acting CJN.



https://mobile.twitter.com/BashirAhmaad/status/1088829778004709378

Excelboi:
He doesnt't except it is a recommendation of the NJC and two-third of the senate has to pass a vote for such removal.

Section 292 of the CFRN 1999. -
(1) A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances:-
(a) in the case of:-
(i) Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief of Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Grand Kadi of the Sharia Abuja and President, Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.
(ii) Chief Judge of a State, Grand Kadi of a Sharia Court of Appeal or President of a Customary Court of

PS: This applies to removal and not suspension... Didn't notice the suspension part earlier!!!

Good. We are now on the same page that the President can suspend the CJN. Note the news said "President suspends CJN", not REMOVE CJN.

deomelo:




They overplayed their hands and got caught slipping by PMB.

Please create thread on Full Address By President Buhari: I don't why I can't open thread again.

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON SUSPENSION OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE WALTER NKANU SAMUEL ONNOGHEN AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA AND SWEARING IN OF ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE, 25TH JANUARY 2019

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 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!

nameo:


You have no argument legally speaking, my friend. And you know that.

As for the consequence, wait and see. I will quote you when it starts. We are now in full blown anarchy. And it is so unfortunate.

Anarchy because the CJN was suspended? Please be careful what you wish for? See anarchy in Syria, Yemen and about to happen in Venezuela.

Jonathan suspended and subsequently retired Ayo Salami - no anarchy?. Jonathan suspended and retired Latino Sanusi - no anarchy. But as soon as a Niger deltan is suspended - anarchy. So your definition of anarchy is only when injustice is done to a Niger deltan or igbo, but not when injustice is done to Yoruba or Fulani?

Please don't be deceived Onnoghen has been removed and sacked

deomelo:




They overplayed their hands and got caught slipping by PMB.

SalamRushdie:


watch and see watch the supreme court will do in days

Shut up for once jare!

deboysben:
Nigeria will boil if it comes out to be true


But buhari doesn't have such power

It will still be reverse cos there is no due process

I'm not praying for a boiling Nigeria, peace and blessings for Nigeria, amen.

ChidiAlaigbo:


Shut up for once jare!

Gerrout

seunmsg:
It’s game over for Onnoghen. This is what happens when corrupt and partisan judges populate the bench. He can now go and register officially as a PDP member. Better still, he can open a law firm and represent Wike in all his legal battles. Good riddance to a nonsense jurist.

As much as I was backing Buhari to win, and thought the CJN was corrupt as hell, how can the President just remove the CJN by fiat order? This is beyond disgusting.

islandmoon:
so, buhari dog can not bite APC member ? only southerners and perceive opposition? huh

Shut up joor, which fvcking South? The one you bitter, evil people have messed up.

NgeneUkwenu:


Please create thread on Full Address By President Buhari: I don't why I can't open thread again.

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON SUSPENSION OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE WALTER NKANU SAMUEL ONNOGHEN AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA AND SWEARING IN OF ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE, 25TH JANUARY 2019

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 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!

Done.

maestroferdi:
The tyrant has lost it after the unprecedented humiliation dished out to him in the South East yesterday....

He is no longer taking chances ...Electoral humiliation is staring him in the face....

But he has made a fatal/false move...

Buhari should go one step further and suspend Igbo citizenship of Nigeria - heaven will not FALL!

Valerie47:
I'm waiting for you to do something first .

Hmmm. So what do you want done? Stop the President or what?

Tetehjewels:


They think Buhari is a dullard. Baba has even been too gentle with the powers conferred on him as the President by our constitution.

The CJN is his appointee and he can fire and hire at will as covered by our constitution.

This is the side of pmb I love seeing. The no nonsense do your worst side.

You cant fire a CJN at will . . . and you should be worried that he actually did this, to replace him with another notherner!

rexwalters:
War is strategy,National Assembly goes on recess,the executive attacks. The honest truth even the Hausa Fulanis on the Supreme Court want him out,he is never coming back.

You over Sabi the game! Kudos! They were even prepared to suspend the idiot Through NJC meeting, but he was smart to postpone it

isht689:
Good step in the right direction CJN can't be a judge in his own case,Justice Ayo Salami's case was not bad as that of CJN heaven never fall when GEJ suspended him and it Will not still fall this time around...

[b][/b]stop fooling urself, the then NJC recommended the suspension of salami.
So, who recommends the suspension of this present CJN?

ChidiAlaigbo:


Buhari should go one step further and suspend Igbo citizenship of Nigeria - heaven will not FALL!

The beginning of the end...

When the inevitable eventuates, dont forget that the revolution started in Igboland...


A tyrant is running amok...He will make the ultimate mistake...

Tetehjewels:


Grow some sense.

The CJN was not removed. HE WAS SUSPENDED. And the President has the constitutional right to suspend him

...they don't understand the political masterstroke the president employed the word ," suspension" to achieve right now; Onnoghen taught he was smart by tactically suspending the NJC ,so the president is saying he has some powers too. Let Onnoghen go to law courts if he is hurt or unsatisfied.

erosimo:


[b][/b]stop fooling urself, the then NJC recommended the suspension of salami.
So, who recommends the suspension of this present CJN?

And the same NJC recommended the reinstatement of Salami, but Jonathan retired him instead.

The CCT recommended the suspension of the CJN, just like the Financial Regulatory Commission recommended the suspension of Sanusi.

Bagehot:


As much as I was backing Buhari to win, and thought the CJN was corrupt as hell, how can the President just remove the CJN by fiat order? This is beyond disgusting.

The CCT gave an order that the CJN should be suspended and the most senior justice of the Supreme Court be sworn in. Do you want the president to disobey a valid court order?

deboysben:

But this is democracy

Zombie!!

since this is Not democracy,
please advice PDP to boycott d 16th Febuhari day.
After all, PDP will not accept d outcome of d election.

Because APC will "rig" d election.
And PDP will ask d international communities to "safe" Nigeria democracy.

U are free to abuse me, as that will not change Anything.

Enjoy ur night.

seunmsg:



The CCT gave an order that the CJN should be suspended and the most senior justice of the Supreme Court be sworn in. Do you want the president to disobey a valid court order?

A superior court reversed that order.

wirinet:


And the same NJC recommended the reinstatement of Salami, but Jonathan retired him instead.

The CCT recommended the suspension of the CJN, just like the Financial Regulatory Commission recommended the suspension of Sanusi.

CCT? You mean cct recommend the suspension of cjn?
Smile, I hope you are not practicing law

Do I really blame the man called buhari for all the undemocratic moves he has taken since 2015? No! The people I blame are the gullible Nigerians who voted for him in 2015. The NBA should do everything to resist this brazen impunity of govt not obeying court orders. The NLC and other trade unions should galvanize their members and declare a nationwide strike to protest this impunity. Nigerians should come out and be counted, and resist this. If you want your country to remain a country, this is the time to show you mean. Nigerians own this country collectively. This country is not buhari's father's property. Enough of all the nonsense.

wirinet:


What has Islamic state go to do with the issue at hand?

u senseless one,don't you know that when it is cloudy that its going to rain?if buharri succeed with this,then he has conquered Nigeria,what remains is for him to present the main objective ,"Islamizing Nigeria" blind people like you only see what is presented on the surface,.buharri knows that the judiciary is the only problem he will have with the already rigged election with inec,he is scared the cjn will scrutiniz election results and send him back to... u know where,buharri doesn't have the constitutional rights to suspend cjn single handedly,if so there is nothing independent about judiciary from executive

gabng:

Acording to Section 11 of the Interpretation Act, Cap 123, Vol. 8, LFN, 2004, the President can suspend indefinitely but not remove without senate .

there is no where in the interpretation acts that give the president to remove,suspend the CJN without 2/3 of the senate or without the recommendation of the NJC.

gabng:

Acording to Section 11 of the Interpretation Act, Cap 123, Vol. 8, LFN, 2004, the President can suspend indefinitely but not remove without senate .

there is no where in the interpretation acts that give the president powers to remove,suspend the CJN without 2/3 of the senate or without the recommendation of the NJC.

SalamRushdie:


the only bad thing here is Buhari and I am not the one supporting him

The bad thing is corruption fighting back and their supporters like you.

PLEASE WATCH PACHUKWUDI BEFORE HE KILLS HIMSELF

PaChukwudi!!!! You still dey ALIVE?