Just in: Ignore calls resignation, south-south governors tell CJN, defy presidency
- The forum of south-south governors has asked Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to ignore calls for his resignation
- After its emergency meeting on Sunday, January 13, the forum asked the CJN not to honour invitation to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)
- The forum reportedly accused the presidency of having no regard for the rule of law and the collective wish of the region
The forum of south-south governors has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen, not to honour the invitation to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) which was scheduled for Monday, January 14..
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Asking the CJN to ignore calls for his resignation, the forum on Sunday, January 13, said that the proposed move against Onnoghen is a set back to Nigeria.
The forum stressed that the national judicial council has the first say in matters related to any of its officers who has questionable conducts.
The south-south governors claimed that the move against the CJN is an action against an illustrious son of the region.
They accused President Muhammadu Buhari of lacking regard for the rule of law and the collective wish of the region.
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The forum expresses worry over the fact that the action is coming when it is just few weeks to the general elections, adding that it is capable of causing unrest throughout the country.
The governors include Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Prof Ben Ayade of Cross River, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta.
"We note that under section 158(1) of the 1999 constitution, the National Judicial Council, has ample powers to deal exhaustively with matters pertaining to allegations of misconduct and discipline of Judicial officers. Specifically, the NJC has the powers and clear procedures for investigating allegations, and recommending appropriate sanctions or disciplinary measures against judicial officials as a matter of first instance before any further steps.
“We note that the attempt to drag the CJN to the CCT is also a grave and dangerous escalation of the assault on institutions of state including the National Assembly and the judiciary
“We believe that the President, Muhammadu Buhari has a constitutional responsibility and huge moral obligation to defend our democracy.
“Therefore, we consider this step, which is directly aimed at humiliating the nation’s highest judicial officer and a prominent son of the region, as totally unacceptable as it is reflective of the south south story of endless marginalization and intimidation. The unceremonious removal of former acting director general of the Department of State Service, Mathew Seiyefa, and his replacement is still very fresh.
“We note that the unfortunate action against the CJN further reinforces the perception that the Buhari administration has no regard for the sentiments of Nigerians, in particular the people of Niger Delta, and the rule of law.
“It is a fact that this administration has a penchant for flagrant disobedience of and disregard for legitimate and valid court orders.
“We expect President Buhari to know that democracy cannot survive without respect for the constitution, strict adherence to the rule of law, and separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution.
“We strongly believe that the regrettable development at the Supreme Court at this critical time, when preparations for the general elections are wobbling (with serious concern about INEC and security agencies) is capable of causing avoidable anxiety, tension and possible breakdown of law and order in the country.
“We note further that the action undermines confidence not only in the judiciary but also the electoral process that has already commenced, in view of the pivotal role that the judiciary plays in the process of electoral adjudication.
“We affirm President Buhari should know that the continuous assault on critical institutions of state is a defining feature of a dictatorship, and that the President is obliged to live up to his word that he is a born-again democrat, as he assured Nigerians in 2015.
Based on the foregoing, we hereby call on the President:
1) To condemn without any equivocation, this assault on the CJN and the judiciary especially coming after similar assaults on the National Assembly, to save the country from this embarrassment and global contempt.
2) We call on the CJN to ignore this so-called Court summon from the CCB and the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters.
"While we are not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such an action must always be anchored on the rule of law.
"We also decry the massive buildup of arms by APC leaders and members across the Niger Delta with the intent to cause mayhem and a general breakdown of law and order during the elections," the governors said in a communique at the end of their meeting.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that governors from the south-south region of the country had summoned an emergency meeting over the reported plans by the federal government to remove the CJN.
The meeting of the governors on the platform of the south-south governors forum was also expected to discuss other issues including the security of the Niger Delta, during and after the election; the issue of derivation; in addition to the recent development involving the chief justice of the federation.
Governor Seriake Dickson in a statement by his special adviser on media relations, Fidelis Soriwei, on Saturday, January 12, said he is yet to be updated about the complete details at the Supreme Court concerning the CJN, but warned that the action against Onnoghen was a dangerous escalation coming a few weeks to the general elections.
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