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Onnoghen: Buhari’s Coup against the Judiciary… …The Sack of a Man that was Never Wanted…

Published

6 years ago

January 26, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

No one would be wrong if he says that the timing of the removal of the Chief Judge of Nigeria, Mr. Walter Nkanu Onnoghen was well planned and cunningly executed. This is because the unpopular decision came barely hours after the National Assembly declared a recess to enable its members concentrate on the campaigns for the February 16 General Elections. The Federal Government has chosen the time to strike knowing the recovery will be slow and agonizing.

Consequently, the furore that has gathered and still gathering over the unceremonious removal may take a longer time to settle, and that is if it ever settles at all.

President Muhammadu Buhari has shocked the nation on Friday when he presented a 20 point text detailing the offences that would warrant the immediate removal of the embattled CJN, who has since Friday January 11, 2019 become endangered specie to the government of the day. His offence: failure to declare personal assets.

The CJN was accused of maintaining domiciliary account with an unnamed bank comprising of different foreign currencies.

He was therefore made to face a six-count charge bordering on wrongful declaration of assets and possession of bank accounts in foreign currencies, which contravened the code of conduct for public office holders.

But the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) among other legal entities and the Nigerian public rose in defence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, stating that the embattled judge “acted rightly in not appearing before the CCT on the day so summoned”.

The body expressed concern that the issue of wrong declaration of assets faced by the CJN has been politicised, hence preventing “an objective discussion of the relevant issues calling for determination”.

The trial which kicked off on Monday, January 14, has gone back and forth with nothing concrete to show for it. As the CCT continually issued threats, the defence team of the CJN also received restraining orders. Obviously, the case was heading to nowhere, and the Federal Government was sure that whatever achievement they had intended would come to, and so the ‘unconstitutional’ sacking and immediate replacement.

By the action, President Muhammadu Buhari, and by extention the Federal may have contravened a court order restraining the President, the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Attorney-General of the Federation from removing Onnoghen,

According to reports, Justice I. E Ekwo of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on restrained all parties from suspending or removing the CJN.

The order was sequel to a suit filed by the Action Peoples Party with number FHC/ABJ/CS/67/2019.

The judge granted, “an order of interim injunction restraining the 1^st (President), 2^nd (AGF) 4^th (Justice Ibrahim Mohammed), 5th (CCB) and 6^th (CCT) whether by themselves, officers, agents, servants, privies or otherwise, however, described from removing the 3rd defendant (Onnoghen) as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

Buhari, however, went ahead to suspend the CJN, relying on an order of the CCT.

Buhari’s action, the excuses he proffered in his speech notwithstanding, seem to many observers as premeditated, considering the fact that he never wanted to confirm him as the substantive CJN as at the time he was due.

Onnoghen was finally sworn in as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Buhari on Thursday, November 10, 2016 after the intervention of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo while the president was away.

While many has condemned the act as witch hunt, it is imperative to recall Constitutional lawyer, Sebastine Hon’s (SAN) assertion as the arraignment first hit the media space

He said: “While I know that the Chief Justice of Nigeria does not enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution, I see this move by the Federal Government as dangerously political and tendentious.”

“Suddenly, we woke to see a petition leaked to the informal or social media, allegedly received by the Code of Conduct on 9th January, 2019.

“Suddenly, we are told charges have been filed against the CJN. Suddenly the Presidency is reportedly asking him to step aside! Was he interrogated or interviewed and his own reactions obtained?”

In the same vein, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; the Coalition of Political Parties (CUPP) and other top politicians in separate statements alleged that the charges against Onnoghen “is a move by the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government to rig the 2019 general elections”.

With the reaction of many Nigerians from all strata of existence, it seems that Buhari has finally bitten more than he can chew. The days ahead will unravel quite a great number of cans of worms.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), the party of the president, is however, rooting for him and applauding his guts in sacking the CJN.

Headline

Tinubu Presents N47.9trn 2025 Appropriation Bill to NASS

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, presented the proposed 2025 federal budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The N47.9 trillion budget saw a whopping N3.5 trillion allocated to the education sector.

Other sectors that got higher allocations include defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn and health – N2.4tn.

“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly, the 2025 Budget of the National Assembly of Nigeria titled, ‘The Restoration Budget’ security peace, building prosperity,” Tinubu said as he concluded his 30-minute presentation at 1:10pm.

This budget highlights the government’s focus on improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure, in line with its ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ aimed at boosting the economy and addressing key national priorities.

The live broadcast of the budget presentation today revealed the government’s plans for the next fiscal year. With a strong emphasis on human capital development, the president highlighted the budget’s commitment to improving the nation’s economic foundation.

Education sector receives major funding

A significant portion of the 2025 budget is dedicated to education, with N3.5 trillion allocated to the sector. President Tinubu stated that part of this funding would be directed toward infrastructure development, including support for Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the establishment of nine new higher educational institutions.

“We have made provision for N826.90 billion for infrastructural development in the education sector,” Tinubu said.

This allocation aims to improve educational facilities and support ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s educational system.

Focus on human capital development

During the presentation, the president emphasized the importance of investing in Nigeria’s human capital. “Human capital development, our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are breaking record investment in education, healthcare, our social services,” he remarked.

Tinubu also pointed to the N34 billion already disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to assist over 300,000 students.

The budget includes continued investments in healthcare and social services as part of the broader goal of enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.

Strengthening the economy and national security

Tinubu highlighted that the 2025 budget is designed to build a robust economy while addressing critical sectors necessary for growth and security.

“This budget reflects the huge commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing the critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision; and secure our nation,” he said.

The budget aims to tackle key challenges and foster long-term economic stability by prioritizing infrastructure and development in key sectors.

Healthcare and social services allocations

In addition to education, Tinubu focused on the allocation for healthcare and social services. The government plans to increase investments in healthcare infrastructure and services to ensure broader access to essential healthcare for Nigerians.

These investments are part of the administration’s strategy to improve overall living conditions and enhance public health across the country.

President Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget is said to reflect the administration’s commitment to achieving its development objectives, with a focus on economic growth, human capital development, and infrastructure improvement.

As the National Assembly reviews the budget, the president reiterated his administration’s resolve to address the nation’s most pressing needs.

Source: Nairametrics

Headline

Ghana’s President-elect Mahama Visits Tinubu in Abuja

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2024

Eric

Ghana’s President-Elect, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at his residence, Presidential Villa, State House on Monday.

Mahama won 56 percent of the votes in this month’s presidential election, compared to the ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who secured 41 percent.

The landslide comeback for former president Mahama ended eight years in power for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose last term was marked by Ghana’s worst economic turmoil in years, an IMF bailout and a debt default.

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I Stand by What I Said, Kemi Badenoch Replies VP Shettima

Published

1 week ago

December 12, 2024

Eric

The leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has lashed back at Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s reaction to her comments about Nigeria.

Badenoch was born in the UK in 1980 to Nigerian Yoruba parents.

Badenoch, who attained age 16 in Nigeria before departing the country for the UK where she was elected Conservative Party’s leader, described Nigeria as a nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity.

However, Shettima, while speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, December 9, 2024, accused Badenoch of “denigrating her country of origin” with her remarks.

The vice-president listed influential people whose families had migrated to other countries, commending former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a “brilliant young man who never denigrated his nation of ancestry.”

Reacting on Wednesday, Badenoch lashed back at Shettima, saying she doesn’t do “PR for Nigeria”.

Her spokesperson, as the Tory leader, according to UK Express, said: “Kemi is not interested in doing Nigeria’s PR; she is the Leader of the Opposition in the UK.

“She tells the truth; she tells it like it is; she isn’t going to couch her words. She stands by what she said.”