21 January 2019
- Ahead of the scheduled resumption of proceedings at the Code of Conduct
Tribunal (“CCT”) tomorrow, 22 January 2019, the Nigerian Bar Association again
calls on the Executive Branch of the Federal Government of Nigeria (“FGN”) to
discontinue forthwith the prosecution of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (“CJN”),
Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S N Onnoghen, GCON before the CCT. Having become
obvious that the immediate goal of the Executive is to remove the CJN from office,
we urge the Government to follow due process in attaining that goal.
2. Due process is not followed when the Executive Branch of the FGN 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 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)
(“the Constitution”). The said Section is very explicit on the due process for the CJN’s
removal when it stipulates as follows:
S.292(1)(a)(i) “A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or
appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances
. . . in the case of . . . Chief Justice of Nigeria . . . by the President acting on
an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.”
3. The Constitution leaves no room howsoever for the removal of the CJN from
office, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, other than through the process
afore-quoted. Being a country governed by laws, the FGN owes us a duty to comply
strictly with these provisions of the Constitution for the removal of the CJN. 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 afore-stipulated.
4. With respect to the trial of the CJN before the CCT on the assets’ declaration
Charge, the NBA stands by its Statement of 12 January 2019. Established judicial
precedents, dictate that the allegations must be referred to and handled by the
National Judicial Council (“NJC”) and it is only after the NJC’s pronouncement
thereon against the CJN can the FGN prosecuting agencies 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 FGN.
5. Should the Federal Government however succeed in removing Honorable Mr.
Justice Walter S N Onnoghen, GCON as the CJN pursuant to the provisions of
Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution, there would be no need or requirement for
the FGN to fulfill the NJC pre-condition ahead of his possible prosecution. With such
a constitutional removal from office, Onnoghen CJN would cease to be a judicial
officer and the allegations against him would not need to be determined by the NJC
ahead of any possible prosecution.
6. The choice is therefore that of FGN to make – either to pursue the removal of
the CJN pursuant to Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution or report the alleged
assets declaration infraction to the NJC for its consideration as a pre-condition for
the possible prosecution of the CJN. Whichever route the FGN chooses, the CCT
proceedings must abate and be discontinued. It constitutes an assault on due
process and undermines the Rule of Law. The sponsored media trial of the CJN must
also cease. Amongst others, it criminally destroys the justice sector, subverts due
process and completely erodes the Rule of Law. This desecration of the justice sector
must stop now, please.
Paul Usoro, SAN
President
