Onnoghen: Follow due process US, Britain, cautions Buhari

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Embassy of the United States of America and its counterpart, the British High Commission have cautioned the Nigerian government to address concerns raised by Nigerians following the suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria,(CJN), Justice Walter Kanu Onnoghen and his replacement by Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammed.

In two seperate statements, the governments of both countries warned about the timing of the suspension very close to the election,stressing that it gives cause for concern. While noting that they respect Nigeria’s svereign authority and its right to adjudicate on constitutional provisions, it noted that as friends of the Nigerian people, they 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”, the
Embassy of the United States said in a statement.

Reacting to the development, the British High Commission said it took note of widespread Nigerian criticism that this decision is unconstitutional and that it undermines the independence of the judicial branch.

“That undercuts the stated determination of government, candidates, and political party leaders to ensure that the elections proceed in a way that is free, fair, transparent, and peaceful – leading to a credible result. 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”, the British High Commission said.

See the statements below

Statement of the US on the Suspension and Replacement of the Chief Justice

“The Embassy of the United States is deeply concerned by the impact of the executive branch’s decision to suspend and replace the Chief Justice and head of the judicial branch without the support of the legislative branch on the eve of national and state elections.

We note widespread Nigerian criticism that this decision is unconstitutional and that it undermines the independence of the judicial branch. That undercuts the stated determination of government, candidates, and political party leaders to ensure that the elections proceed in a way that is free, fair, transparent, and peaceful – leading to a credible result.

We urge that the issues raised by this decision be resolved swiftly and peacefully in accordance with due process, full respect for the rule of law, and the spirit of the Constitution of Nigeria. Such action is needed urgently now to ensure that this decision does not cast a pall over the electoral process.”

UK statement on suspension of Nigerian Chief Justice

The British High Commission expresses serious concern over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The UK issued the following 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.