The South-South Governors’ Forum has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to ignore the court summon from the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as well as what it called the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters.
Rising from an emergency meeting held on Sunday at the Bayelsa State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, the forum in a communiqué signed by the Governors of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Cross River State, Ben Ayade, Akwa-Ibom Udom Emmanuel, Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa and Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to condemn without any equivocation, this assault on the CJN and the judiciary especially coming after similar assaults on the National Assembly, to save the country from this embarrassment and global contempt.
The forum stated that while it was not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such an action must always be anchored on the rule of law.
It further resolved that the action against the CJN constituted a setback to the gains of the nation’s democratic experience of 20 years.
While noting that under Section 158(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Judicial Council, had ample powers to deal exhaustively with matters pertaining to allegations of misconduct and discipline of Judicial officers, the forum observed that the NJC had the powers and clear procedures for investigating allegations, and recommending appropriate sanctions or disciplinary measures against judicial officials as a matter of first instance before any further steps.
It said,” The judicial pronouncements ina ` the cases of FGN Vs Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court (January 9, 2018) and Justice Ngajinwa Vs FGN 2017 at the CCT have given validation to the express provisions of the constitution on this issue.
“We note that the attempt to drag the CJN to the CCT is also a grave and dangerous escalation of the assault on institutions of state including the National Assembly and the judiciary
“We believe that the President, Muhammadu Buhari has a constitutional responsibility and huge moral obligation to defend our democracy.
“Therefore, we consider this step, which is directly aimed at humiliating the nation’s highest judicial officer and a prominent son of the region, as totally unacceptable as it is reflective of the South South story of endless marginalization and intimidation. The unceremonious removal of former Acting Director General of the Department of State Service, Mathew Seiyefa and his replacement is still very fresh.
“We note that the unfortunate action against the CJN further reinforces the perception that the Buhari administration has no regard for the sentiments of Nigerians, in particular the people of Niger Delta, and the rule of law
“It is a fact that this administration has a penchant for flagrant disobedience of and disregard for legitimate and valid court orders.
“We expect President Buhari to know that democracy cannot survive without respect for the constitution, strict adherence to the rule of law, and separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution.
“We strongly believe that the regrettable development at the Supreme Court at this critical time, when preparations for the general elections are wobbling (with serious concern about INEC and security agencies) is capable of causing avoidable anxiety, tension and possible breakdown of law and order in the country.
“We note further that the action undermines confidence not only in the judiciary but also the electoral process that has already commenced, in view of the pivotal role that the judiciary plays in the process of electoral adjudication.
“We affirm President Buhari should know that the continuous assault on critical institutions of state is a defining feature of a dictatorship, and that the President is obliged to live up to his word that he is a born-again democrat, as he assured Nigerians in 2015”.
It continued,” Based on the foregoing, we hereby call on the President: 1) To condemn without any equivocation, this assault on the CJN and the judiciary especially coming after similar assaults on the National Assembly, to save the country from this embarrassment and global contempt. 2) We call on the CJN to ignore this so-called Court summon from the CCB and the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters.
“While we are not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such an action must always be anchored on the rule of law.
“We also decry the massive buildup of arms by APC leaders and members across the Niger Delta with the intent to cause mayhem and a general breakdown of law and order during the elections”.
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