The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has cried out against what they call a “coup against the judiciary.” after the suspension of the CJN, Walter Onnoghen.
The NBA in a statement by its President, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN) said that the suspension of Onnoghen was unconstitutional and that the Senate was needed to halt this slide into chaos and anarchy.
“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. Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON.” the NBA said
“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.”
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The NBA added that the order suspending the CJN was an abuse of court process and that the President has to be stopped.
“The NBA 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, among others.”