Onnoghen: NANS Protests Against Buhari’s Action (Photos)

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Onnoghen: NANS protests against Buhari’s action

The National
Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) on Monday protested the
suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),
urging the Federal government to reverse the suspension.

The Union group also described the suspension of Onnoghen as illegal and unconstitutional.

Speaking
at the protest, the National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Comrade
Adeyemi Azeez, accused the Buhari-led administration of embarking on
judicial coup through the suspension of Onnoghen without following the
constitution procedure.

Adeyemi argued that no matter how
gravious the allegations levelled against the embattled CJN are, the
President was not expected to resort to self-help.

According to
him, “the leadership of NANS condemn in its entirety the Friday the 25th
of January sacking of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen by
President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is a total affront to rule of law and
constitutional democracy in Nigeria.

“Unilaterally and in
flagrant violation of the Constitution, he also swore in Tanko Muhammad
as the new acting CJN. By this act, the President has precipitated
needless confusion in the polity. A shocking action, it will aggravate
tension ahead of the general election in February and March. This poses a
great treat to our democracy.

“The NANS frowned at the way
President Buhari substantiated his action by citing an order from the
Code of Conduct Tribunal directing Onnoghen’s suspension, his action is
akin to a coup – a judicial coup in this case. In a subtle way, the
President has suspended in part an integral part of the Judiciary arm of
government by illegally intimidating its highest figure and shamefully
deposing him.

“The petition by the Anti-Corruption and Research
Based Data Initiative to the Code of Conduct Bureau, accusing Onnoghen
of corruption and false declaration of assets has been challenged by the
CJN before s competent Court of law and should be allowed to follow
due course.The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, in its ruling, ordered
the CCT to stay action, pending the determination of Onnoghen’s
application that the CCT had no power to try hm. We wonder why Mr.
President hurriedly suspended the CJN citing the CCT order.

“No
matter how grave the allegations levelled against the CJN,Mr. President
cannot resort to self-help in addressing the matter, much against the
position of the 1999 Constitution. In the Third Schedule, Part 1, the
constitution expressly states the procedure that should be followed in
removing the CJN. The process is initiated by the National Judicial
Council.

“According to Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 21 (b),
“The NJC shall have power to recommend to the President the removal from
office of the judicial officers specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this
paragraph, and to exercise disciplinary control over such officers.” The
officers listed therein are the CJN, Justices of the Supreme Court, the
President and Justices of the Court of Appeal; the Chief Judge and
Judges of the Federal High Court.

“The NANS having critically
analyzed the circumstances leading to the suspension of the CJN called
on President Muhammadu Buhari to reinstate the CJN and allow due
process and rule of law to take its due course in the alleged case of
corruption against the CJN”.

Some of the students were armed with
placards with some of the following inscriptions : “Buhari’s suspension
of CJN is mockery to our constitution”, “reinstate CJN for free and
fair election”, “Buhari, go home you are not fit”, among others.

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