Onnoghen’s Suspension: EU concerned about Process & Timing

Pic 24. Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen speaking during his inauguration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday (10/11/16)
8363/10/11/2016/Callistus Ewelike/NAN

The European Union has expressed concern about the process and timing of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday suspended the CJN and installed Ibrahim Tanko on an acting capacity.

The Cable reports that in a statement, the EU expressed concern over the timing of the removal, writing:

The EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) is very concerned about the process and timing of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Honourable lustice Walter Onnoghen, on 25 January.

With 20 days until the presidential and National Assembly elections, political parties, candidates and voters must be able to have confidence in the impartiality and independence of the judicial system.

The EU EOM calls on all parties to follow the legal processes provided for in the Constitution and to respond calmly to any concerns they may have.

The UK, too, expressed concern over the process of the removal, writing in a statement:

The British High Commission expresses serious concern over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. We have heard a wide range of credible and independent voices, including in the Nigerian legal profession and civil society, who have expressed concern over the constitutionality of the executive branch’s suspension of the chief officer of the judiciary.

We respect Nigeria’s sovereign authority and its right to adjudicate on constitutional provisions but as friends of the Nigerian people, we are compelled to observe that the timing of this action, so close to national elections, gives cause for concern. It risks affecting both domestic and international perceptions on the credibility of the forthcoming elections. We, along with other members of the international community, are following developments closely.

We encourage all actors to maintain calm and address the concerns raised by this development through due process, demonstrating their commitment to respecting the constitution and the impartial administration of the rule of law. We further urge them to take steps to ensure that elections take place in an environment conducive to a free, fair and peaceful process.