Group berates FG over suspension of CJN

THE United Nigeria Group (UNG), a non-political group, has berated the Federal Government over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

This was contained in a press statement signed by UNG National Spokesman, Dr Emenena Bright, on Monday and made available to newsmen in Warri.

The group described the CJN suspension as being “equated with suspending the constitution.”

According to the non-political association, there was a procedure for the removal of CJN as enshrined in the constitution adding the process of suspending Onnoghen was unconstitutional.

Onnoghen was charged over the false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The group also called on the National Assembly to quickly reconvene and act fast constitutionally to prevent a constitutional crisis in the country.

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It said the act and the recent appointment of Amina Zakari as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) head of collation centres was a calculated attempt to rig the forthcoming general elections.

“The latest action of suspending the CJN can easily be equated with suspending the constitution.

“This act must be condemned by all well-meaning citizens irrespective of party affiliation, tribe, region or religion.

“This is no longer about a party or a person. It is about the survival of our hard earned democracy.

“Considering the uproar that the appointment of Zakari generated only less than 3 weeks ago.

“It is safe to say that the present administration has now concluded the plans to announce election results other than what the peoples’ will,” he said.

The group, however, thanked the International community for their swift reaction to the suspension and others and urge them to impose sanctions in order to put pressure on the administration to do the right thing.

The statement said the sanction was necessary so as not to truncate the 20 years of the nation’s democratic system.