Don fires 2 posers at NJC
SAN urges Ag CJN to shun tribalism, ethnicity
By Emma Amaize, Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Ike Uchechukwu
Twenty-five lawyers have approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, asking it to terminate further hearing on suit challenging what they termed as illegal suspension of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The plaintiffs, led by human rights activist, Mr Johnmary Jideobi, said they decided to discontinue the suit after they got information that Justice Onnoghen had succumbed to pressure and voluntarily tendered a resignation letter to the 1st defendant, President Buhari.
They told the court that pursuing the legal action to its logical conclusion would amount to “crying more than the bereaved,” notwithstanding the fact that the matter was earlier fixed to be heard on May 23.
Don fire posers at NJC
Meanwhile, a University teacher and farmer in Edo State, Dr Isaiah Osifo, has raised two posers for the Nigeria Judiciary Council, NJC, over its recommendation of compulsory retirement for Justice Onnoghen, who was forced to give up his job, recently.
Osifo said: “It is meaningless for the sycophants of President Buhari to celebrate or justify the resignation of Justice Onnoghen without concern for the dangerous consequences of a bad precedent in a country without respect for the rule of law.
“Can NJC and Nigerians tolerate situations where elected President can sack the head of the judicial arm of government without recourse to the rules and constitutional provision? Can NJC and Nigerians tolerate situations where elected state governor can sack the chief judge of a state without recourse to the laws and the constitution of Nigeria?
“The resignation/retirement of Justice Onnoghen should make less news compared to the dangers that are inherent in a society without the rule of law. Double standard and its application in any judicial system erode the confidence of the people in the judiciary and place the nation in the category of a dangerous and unpredictable country.
“If NJC cannot rescue the judiciary, who else can? Democratic and civilised nations always avoid subordinating law to satisfy any individual or a group,” he asserted.
SAN urges Ag CJN to shun tribalism
Also, the Head of Chamber of Mba Ukweni and Associates, Mba Ukweni, SAN, has urged the Acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad to shun tribalism and ethnicity and adhere to the oath of the office as prescribed by the law and moral principle.
Speaking with Vanguard, weekend, Ukweni said: “The Acting CJN is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court and until President appoints a new person, let him lead the Judiciary properly. The Justices have their oaths of office, let him follow the oath of office and work in accordance with the tenets of the constitution and shun tribalism and ethnicity.”
On the resignation of former CJN, Ukweni said “If the situation has reached this level where there is no more trust, the best option for him was to resign. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Onnoghen’s resignation was appropriate.
“I don’t see it be inappropriate. I think it is appropriate because what is he doing now since this problem started? He has not been performing his duty as the CJN. So why is he still there? If he has become a major problem and he put in his resignation or voluntary retirement, so to say, to enable the system move on, I see it as a very honourable step taken by him.”
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