Suspended CJN Onnoghen
By Baba Shehu Oscu, Bauchi
A body of judicial pundits christened as ‘Concerned Citizens of Bauchi State’ has described as proper the suspension of Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter S. Onnoghen from office.
The law officers said that the executive arm of government merely uphold and put into practice the well-established legal principles of equality before the law.
“A man should not be a judge in his own case or cause, hence the suspension is legally proper”, said the body, saying it fully support President Buhari and the Federal Government’s decision in that regard.
The Concerned citizens of Bauchi in a statement in Bauchi made available to newsmen Tuesday said that the appointment of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohamed is also in order as a matter of law.
It said the appointment besides conforming to the basic of legal principles and tradition of seniority that guides appointments into such judicial position, adding “It is also in agreement and supportive of the legal position that no vacuum must exist in every public office at any given time”.
The statement signed by the group’s chairman, secretary and publicity secretary, Mahmoud Haruna Yakubu Esq, Barrister Ibrahim Attahir and J.S. Jibrin Esq respectively, said it is unfair, unwarranted and unjustifiable the series of attacks on the person of Justice Ibrahim T. Mohammed by some selfish and unpatriotic Nigerians.
Such Nigerians, the statement explained, have their understanding of the concept of obedience of law, constituted authority and patriotic action is limited only to decisions judicial or administrative that suits their parochial, narrow and self-serving interests.
They argued that it is quite unfortunate that when Justice Salami was removed in a manner that truly fits a judicial coup for no just cause unlike the present case where the suspended CJN evidently has a case to answer, these fake pro-democracy groups were nowhere to be found.
The Bauchi concerned citizens therefore condemned the statement credited to NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro – SAN in which he is said to have referred to the decision suspending Hon. Justice Onnoghen as a coup.
Mahmoud Haruna Yakubu Esq then called on Nigerians to rise above the petty level of ethnic, geo-political and other primordial sentiments by being factual, logical and nationalistic at all times
In a related development, the Bauchi State Branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) also described as uncalled for, the directive by the national body of the association to boycott court sittings over the ongoing debate for or against the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The Bauchi NBA in a press statement issued recently and signed by the Chairman and its Secretary in the state M.M. Maidoki and A.S. Gumba respectively, observed that no person or authority is to delve into the issue in whatever circumstances.
The State chapter of NBA categorically said it will not instruct its members to boycott court sittings, but rather urged them to be steadfast in the discharge of their professional responsibilities, as well as be firm in promoting the Rule of law.
