Constitutional Crisis Hits Nigeria, As Buhari Hastly Suspends CJN And Appointment Of Another
By Moses Gbande
Nigeria is current facing a constitutional Crisis following the forceful eviction of Hon. Justice Walter Onghen and the hasty appointment of Just Tanko Mohammed as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The suspension of Justice Onoghen is discribed by the president of the Senate Bukola Saraki as a Coup against Democracy and a deliberate attempt to endanger our hard-won democracy.
Saraki, in a statement personally signed by him stated that the suspension was another act of desperation by President Buhari.
He noted that by the suspension of the CJN, Buhari has acted outside the provision of the constitution, has exercised the powers which he does not have and that this action amounted to gross misconduct.
Just as the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders said the Suspension of CJN Walter Onoghen on friday evening and swearing in a replacement is a constitutional crisis foisted by desperation and morbid desire to foist rule of thumb.
‘We have checked through the constitution and the President has no power to unilaterally suspend the CJN.Section 292 of the amended 1999 Constitution is clear that the President can only remove the CJN with 2/3 of Senate resolution.
“To us what has been done is resort to self-help after the Court of Appeal issued an order stopping the trial of the CJN by the CCT presided over by a man answering charges in court over corruption allegations but still in office.
In a statement jointly signed by Chief E K Clerk (South South) Chief Ayo Adebanjo (South West) Chief John Nwodo South East said the latest action is a clear suspension of the constitution and enthronement of full blown dictatorship.
“We reject the illegal suspension and demand its immediate reversal.
The suspension is null and void and of no effect whatever.An emergency meeting of the Forum holds shortly on this total aberration. We call on all Nigerians to wake up to the reality that our democracy is now under threat and use all constitutional means to defend it.We must not surrender to this authoritarian rule .
In the meantime, unconfirmed reports said visible armed security men with armoured tanks were heading towards Justice Onnoghen House to forceful evict the CJN out of his official house including his family.
All journalist and activists are called to rush to the CJN’s house to keep vigil as the safety and life of Onnoghen is at stake this Night.#Onnoghen Remains CJN of Nigeria while tanko remains Buhari private CJN# Let the lawyers and judges shut down the courts until Tanko Mohammed and Umar Danladi are expelled from the bench and arrested and tried for Treason. Cting Chief Justice of the Nigeria.
Nigerians are also calling on the National Assembly to fast track processes of impeachment of President Mohammedu Buhari before he throws Nigeria into a state of anarchy.
Nasarawa Reporters 