Buhari cannot unilaterally suspend Onnoghen ― Ubani

The second Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barrister Monday Ubani has said that the President cannot unilaterally suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.

Ubani who spoke on the issue maintained that Onnoghen’s suspension is strange, while calling on President Buhari to give more clarity.

“It sounds a bit strange to me because I know that presently, the matter is before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and even the court of Appeal has asked for a stay of proceedings.

“I also know that there is pending motion for the CJN to recuse himself to be suspended but that motion has not been heard and granted.”

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“But what I heard from the news now is that the President said he is acting on the orders of the CCT that the CJN should be suspended. I don’t know when that order was given.”

“All I want to say is that I don’t know if the CJN can be suspended or removed without a process. its either that process comes from the NJC, the Courts or the Senate. These are the three regulatory bodies that can suspend or remove a CJN. The President cannot unilaterally do this.

“This particular suspension and removal to me sounds strange. The President may have to give us more details. There is a problem somewhere. The president should give us proper meaning to what has taken place.”