CJN suspension: EU Election Observation Mission reacts

Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has expressed concern over the process and timing of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen just 20 days to the general elections. In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, by the Election Observation Mission, the EU said the timing of Justice Onnoghen’s suspension has raised a lot of questions as to whether the constitutional provisions and due process was followed. The EU also warned that the credibility of the Judicial System in the delivery of electoral justice will be contested following the decision of the government to suspend the CJN. “The decision to suspend the Chief Justice has led to many Nigerians, including lawyers and civil society observer groups, to question whether due process was followed. “The timing just before the swearing in of justices for Electoral Tribunals and the hearing of election-related cases has also raised concerns about the opportunity for electoral justice,” they stated. The International Body appealed to all parties to follow the legal processes provided for in the Constitution and to respond calmly to any concerns they may have, while reassuring that the Mission will observe the neutrality stakeholders and the extent to which the judiciary can and does fulfil its election-related responsibilities. They maintained that with the Presidential and National Assembly elections just around the corner, building the confidence of voters and political parties in the impartiality and independence of the Judicial system must be prioritized.