CJN's trial: NBA asks FG to follow due process

- The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked the federal government to stop the prosecution of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen

- The prosecution of Onnoghen by the federal government was on his alleged failure to declare his assets

- NBA also implored the federal government to follow the rule of law in its prosecution of the CJN

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the federal government to discontinue the prosecution of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, and follow due process.

The federal government is prosecuting the CJN at the code of conduct tribunal for allegedly failing to declare his assets, NAN reports.

A statement issued by the NBA president, Paul Usoro, on Monday, January 21, in Abuja, urged the government to follow due process if its goal was to remove Onnoghen from office.

He said: "Due process is not followed when the executive branch of the federal government files an interlocutory motion before the code of conduct tribunal for the removal of the CJN.

“Such an application disparages, and assaults due process as enshrined in Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the 1999 constitution. The said section is very explicit on the due process for the CJN’s removal.”

According to Usoro, the constitution leaves no room, however, for the removal of the CJN from office, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, other than through the necessary due process.

The NBA president said that Nigeria was a country governed by laws and the government owed Nigerians a duty to comply strictly with provisions of the constitution for the removal of the CJN.

“We, therefore, urge the executive branch of the federal government to please retrace its steps and discontinue the entire proceedings before the CCT forthwith and follow the constitutional procedure,” he said.

He added that the NBA stood by its earlier statement that established judicial precedents, dictate that the allegations must be referred to and handled by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Usoro further stated: "It is only after the NJC’s pronouncement against the CJN that the government’s prosecuting agencies can proceed against him before any tribunal or court of law.

“For as long as the CJN remains a judicial officer, that process avails him and is mandatory of compliance by the government.”

He maintained that the government must discontinue the proceedings at the CCT on the grounds that it constituted an assault on due process and undermined the rule of law.

”The sponsored media trial of the CJN must also cease, amongst others, it criminally destroys the justice sector, subverts due process and completely erodes the rule of law."

Recall that Legit.ng earlier reported that the federal government allegedly filed a motion at CCT seeking the removal of Walter Onnoghen as the chief justice of Nigeria.

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It was gathered that the probe into the salary account of the CJN would date back to September 2005 was expected to expose alleged questionable deposits made into Onnoghen's account.

Also, a fact sheet from the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) which was sent to the attorney general of the federation showed that about N100 million was received through the CJN's salary account with Union Bank Plc between September 2005 and October 2016.

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South-South governors condemn trial of CJN Onnoghen | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng

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