Removal Of Onnoghen As CJN, Illegal – Former Gambian Chief Justice

By Ayodele Oni

For the Nigerian Judiciary to be truly independent,  the power to appoint Chief Judges and members of the National Judicial Council (NJC)  should not rest on an individual.

The immediate past Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle, who made the remark also  described the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen as illegal.

Justice Fagbenle, a Nigerian-born legal icon was speaking during a Public Lecture to usher in the 2021 Law Week by Students of Achievers University Owo (AUO), Ondo State.

Delivering a lecture titled: “Independence of the Judiciary in Nigeria: Lessons from The Gambia and Other Jurisdictions”, Justice Fagbenle pointed out that the removal of Justice Onnoghen should have gone through a process backed by Law.

According to him, Onnoghen’s removal should have been recommended by the National Judiciary Council (NJC), if he had been found wanting, which would then be ratified by two-third of the National Assembly.

Before his hurried sack about three years ago, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, had his residence invaded and ransacked by security operatives.

All these happened as preparations for the second term election of President Mohamadu Buhari were in top gear and Justice Onnoghen was alleged to be romancing with the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the election.

The Guest Lecturer flayed the delay of justice in Nigeria, adding that the society would be better  when there’s Justice for the poor and the rich.

The Pro-Chancellor and Founder of Achievers University Owo, Dr Bode Ayorinde, fingered the 1999 constitution as amended as one of the problems of Nigeria, saying it’s inadequate and would continue to be a cog in the wheel of the progress of the country if not amended.

He was of the view that the Constitution is the albatross of the Nigerian State.