Senate Takes Battle for Onnoghen’s Reinstatement to Supreme Court
The Senate on Monday shifted the battle for the reinstatement of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to the Supreme Court.
This was after the Clerk of the Senate, Mr Nelson Ayewoh announced a cancellation of the planned plenary for Tuesday.
The media adviser to the Senate President, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, in a press statement said the leadership of the Senate took a last minute decision to approach the Supreme Court for a judicial interpretation of the suspension of the CJN by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Senate wants the Supreme Court to declare the action of the President as a violation of the constitutional provision since it has not been approved by the two-thirds majority of the Senate as contained in section 292(1)(a)(i) of the constitution.
The Senate also wants the Supreme Court to restrain President Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami from such constitutional violtion and disregard to the power of the Senate.
Part of the prayers of the Senate include:
“An order rescinding or setting aside the suspension of Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen from his office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and restoring him to the said office.
“An order restraining the defendants from continuing or repeating the violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and disregarding the powers of the Senate at the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Buhari had on Friday last week suspended the CJN, explaining that he did this based on the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal which had charged Onnoghen on six counts of non=declaration of assets.
This action has received widespread condemnation by Nigerians with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) boycotting the court today and tomorrow in protest.
President had appointed Justice Tanko Muhammad as the acting chief Judge as the next in rank in terms of seniority at the Supreme Court.
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