The Nigerian Senate filed a suit with the Supreme Court asking for the reinstatement of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.
According to the Punch, the Senate in a suit marked SC.76/2019, prayed the court to regard the suspension of Onnoghen as a violation of the constitution.
The legislature also prayed that the court will restrain the two defendants in the case, President Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, from continuing with the continued suspension.
READ: What Falana Said About Onnoghen’s Suspension
The 3 prayers read: “A declaration that the suspension, by the President, of Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen from his office as Chief Justice of Nigeria on or about January 25, 2019, without an address calling for the removal, supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate is in violation of section 292(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution and therefore null and void.
“An order rescinding or setting aside the suspension of Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen from his office as Chief Justice of Nigeria and restoring him to the said office.
“An order restraining the defendants from continuing or repeating the violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and disregarding the powers of the Senate at the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The lawmakers is relying on the argument that without two-thirds of the Senate, the President is prohibited from suspending the CJN and appointing a new one.