Chukwuemeka Njoku, Abuja.
The Nigerian Bar Association,NBA, has demanded the reversal of the purported suspension of Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Also, NBA called on the National Assembly to assert its constitutional authority and powers and prevent this slide into chaos and erosion of the Rule of Law.
This is as the NBA has slated Monday 28 January for an emergency NEC meeting to discuss and take a resolution on the suspension of the CJN.
Reacting on the purported appointment of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as the acting CJN on Friday, NBA President ,Paul Usoro ,SAN, said the association “rejects” Onnoghen’s suspension.
“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 National 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” NBA stated.
The umbrella body of all practicing lawyers in Nigeria, therefore called on the Federal Government to avert the looming constitutional crisis precipitated by its ill-advised act.
