The former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen GCON, on Sunday bemoaned the incessitivity and reckless abandonment of the rule of law under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also condemned the lack of courage by Justices of the Court of Appeal to give ruling on his fundamental human rights suit during the Buhari administration.
Justice Onnoghen, who is also a Knight of John Wesley in Methodist Church Nigeria spoke during a reflection of his ‘kangaroo’ removal by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on trum-up charges during former President Buhari’s administration while playing host to Representatives of the Methodist Council of Knights, Abuja Chapter led by its Chairman, Sir Barr Samuel Osahon
The group had paid a solidarity visit to the family of Sir Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, KJW, GCON on his recent victory at the Court of Appeal and solemnization of Holy Matrimony of his son.
He condemned a development where Nigerians just surrendered their sovereignty to government and still fail to complain even when the government abuses the rule of law and trample on the Constitution.
The eminent Jurist opined that “if the Judiciary which he described as the most strongest of all the three arms of government fails to do the needful when faced with abuse of the nation’s Constitution, then the hope of the common man is gone.
“No one have absolute power in a democracy. We must practice democracy as it been done in other saner clime.
“I did not sue the Federal Government. I only approached the Court to appeal against the illegality of arraigning me before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on frivolous charges and to enforce my fundamental human rights.
“It was however appalling that my colleagues, the Justices on the Court of Appeal bench then lacked the courage to make any pronouncement until government hurriedly perfected the arraignment, only for the Appellate court to now ruled that the natter was an academic exercise.”
He expressed hope that the next generation of legal practitioners would stand for the defence of the judiciary, common man and the country.
Justice Onnoghen also kicked against the much talked about lobbying on appointment of Senior Lawyers to the Supreme Court bench without prerequisite knowledge as a judge and Justices of the lower court warning that it would spell doom for the nation.
“Judiciary should be a complete apolitical institution in order to protect the citizenry. Everyone must subject his/herself to the rule of law and the Constitution. Anything short of that is anarchy.
“Anyone who lobbies to be a judge should not be appointed. The position of a Judge is not a political post that should be campaigned or lobbied for as it is been done now.”
He then appreciated his predecessor in office, His lordship, Justice Mahmud Mohammed for been a reliable and dependable jurist.
“The recent judgement of the Court of Appeal vindicating me is a victory for all Nigerians. It reassured Nigerians that no matter how long Government rascality takes, Justice would certainly be done,” he concluded.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Abuja Chapter of the Council of Knights, Sir Barr Osahon, had felicitated with Justice Onnoghen and his family on the victory at the Appeal Court which discharged and acquitted him of any wrongdoing.
He also rejoiced with the family for the successful marriage ceremony of their son recently.
Similarly, the Archdiocesan Lay President of Methodist Archdiocese of Abuja, Sir AVM John Kayode-Beckly, quoting from Luke 18 verses 7 – 8, said God Almighty has fulfilled His assurance to vindicate his elects in the case of Justice Onnoghen and admonished him to forgive all the perpetrators of the acts.
It would be recalled that the
Court of Appeal early last month set aside and reversed the Conviction of Former CJN Walter Onnoghen By The Code of Conduct Tribunal, condemning the executive lawlessness and recklessness during the period .
Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen GCON was Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) from 7 March 2017 to 25 January 2019.
