The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Federal Government to discontinue the prosecution of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, and follow due process. According to Dailypost, the NBA President, Mr Paul Usoro, who made the call on Monday in Abuja, urged the government to follow due process if its goal was to remove Onnoghen from office.
“Due process is not followed when the Executive Branch of the Federal Government files an Interlocutory Motion before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for the removal of the CJN. Such an application disparages, and assaults due process as enshrined in Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the 1999 Constitution.
“The said section is very explicit on the due process for the CJN’s removal. We, therefore, urge the Executive Branch of the Federal Government to please retrace its steps and discontinue the entire proceedings before the CCT forthwith and follow the constitutional procedure".
Usoro said the NBA stood by its earlier statement that established judicial precedents, dictate that the allegations must be referred to and handled by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
”It is only after the NJC’s pronouncement against the CJN that the government’s prosecuting agencies can proceed against him before any Tribunal or Court of Law.
“For as long as the CJN remains a judicial officer, that process avails him and is mandatory of compliance by the government,”
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