Sequel to the directive issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday that the Department of State Services should arrest the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, opposition parties in the country are planning a showdown on Friday.
Danladi Umar, the CCT chairman, had honoured that prosecution’s application for the issuance of the arrest warrant on the grounds that Onnoghen had repatedly refused to appear before the tribunal, and answer to the charges of non-declaration of assets levelled against him by the Federal Government.
Reacting to the CCT’s order, which is aimed at bringing him for trial on Friday, Onnoghen had sought the the help of the Appeal Court in Abuja on Wednesday, requesting the court to stop his arrest as ordered by the CCT.
The CJN is reportedly taking steps to avert his arrest by reaching an agreement with the security agencies to voluntarily submit himself to the CCT on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties has scheduled a nationwide protest for Friday to expressed their dissatisfaction against the CCT’s directive.
The protest, according to the coalition’s spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, would coincide with the day Onnoghen’s trial was expected to start at the CCT.
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He said, “It is ridiculous that a government that has been promising free and fair elections can be planning to arraign the country’s CJN on Friday, 24 hours to the country’s presidential election.
“We see this as a last minute effort to divert attention, confuse the Nigerian voters and cover the President’s incompetence few hours to election.
“It is also an attempt to divert attention from electoral violence being planned by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“We therefore call for a mass protest across the 36 states of the federation on Friday, (tomorrow) being the day scheduled for the arraignment of the CJN.
“Friday is dedicated as a National Action Day Against the rampaging Dictator. All Non-Governmental Organisations, activists and political parties should hold rallies at their local government areas, state and at the federal levels.
“All lawyers, activists, youths and opposition politicians must stage protests and remain vigilant from Friday till Sunday to avoid the political barbarians using the CJN matter to divert attention and sneak in to steal the will of the people.”