‘Suspension of CJN Onnoghen height of irresponsibility’

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

Former National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Ray Nnaji has flayed the presidency for suspending the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen. Nnaji who addressed newsmen in his office in Enugu Wednesday, said that the suspension of the Chief Justice smacks of corruption and irresponsibility on the part of the executive. “The suspension of Onnoghen on the CCT exparte, was the highest height of irresponsibility and it is corruption personified,” Nnaji said. According to Nnaji who was the commissioner of Sports in Enugu State, the suspension is capable of having a negative effect on democracy in Nigeria. He wondered how a government which said they would obey the rule of law would turn round to violate the rule by suspending the CJN unilaterally without recourse to the National Judicial Council, NJC and the National Assembly, NASS. Nnaji listed court orders the government had neglected in the past like in the case of El Zak Zakky and former security adviser, Dasuki but only to obey the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT order to suspend a judicial officer. The legal luminary said however that even if Onnoghen was guilty as charged, due process should have been followed before his suspension instead of the president arrogating to himself absolute powers. “The president has no right to suspend a judicial officer. There is nowhere the president is mandated to remove a judicial officer. He has no such powers and he would be setting precedence by what he has done. “His power is not absolute. The NJC and the National Assembly should be part to the appointment and dismissal of a judicial officer,” Nnaji states. The former Auditor said that he was disappointed that some legal giants who should be in the know like Femi Falana should be siding the presidency in the unconstitutional breach. “I have listened to so many people, lawyers alike who have given several interpretations supporting the President especially Femi Falana who spoke with both sides of the mouth. He was of the opinion that Onnoghen should have stepped aside,” he said. Speaking on position of Lai Mohammed, the Information Minister defending the presidency on the Onnoghen saga, Nnaji said that he pities him for defending a government that is tilting towards dictatorship. “Lai Mohammed is defending a government that is tilting towards dictatorship. Where did Buhari get Tue power to the CJN even as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces,” he queries.