Onnoghen: What Agbakoba said about acting CJN Tanko

A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba has described the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, as an attack on the constitution.

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Agbakoba said that all actions ought to be stayed, pending the determination of several cases and appeals filed on the issue before various courts which ordered maintenance of status quo.

He said the suspension contravenes the ruling of CCT on the matter.

“The CCT itself, adjourned proceedings in respect of Justice Onnoghen’s matter in order to determine if it has jurisdiction to try Justice Onnoghen; the suspension contravenes the ruling.

“All these cases ruled that Justice Onnoghen should remain in office pending when all cases against him are resolved.

“In any case Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution sets out the procedure for removing or suspending the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“The power to suspend or remove the Chief Justice of Nigeria vests in the Senate side of the National Assembly,” he said.

Mr Agbakoba called for reversal of the suspension.

Mr Onnoghen was charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on January 14, with offences bordering on non declaration of assets.

He was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, and Justice Mohammed Tanko was appointed as the acting CJN.