Don’t mandate Buhari to appoint me CJN, Onnoghen tells Nigerians

The acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, has called on Nigerians demanding President Muhammadu Buhari to forward his name to the Senate for screening and subsequent approval as substantive Chief Justice, to stop pressurising the president for the appointment.

In a statement by his media aide on Thursday, Awassam Bassey, the acting CJN pleaded with Nigerians to allow President Buhari a free hand to perform his constitutional duties concerning the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Part of the statement read, “Honourable Justice Onnoghen believes the president does not need any threat or ultimatum to perform his constitutional duties and, therefore, dissociates himself from those individuals and groups making such demands on the president.

“However, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Nigerian Judiciary sincerely appreciate the interest of Nigerians towards the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria to oversee the affairs of the Judiciary as the third arm of government, but believes that issuing an ultimatum to Mr. President appears to be going too far and smacks of disrespect for the exalted office of the president.

“The Acting Chief Justice therefore appeals for caution on the issue of the appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria as Mr President goes about his constitutional duties, especially considering the fact that the given time for him to act as Chief Justice of Nigeria has not expired.

“In conclusion, the Acting Chief Justice wishes to thank all Nigerians for their support and continued prayers while calling on them to back the Federal Government in the fight to make the country a better place for all.”

Read also: ONNOGHEN: Presidency fights back, says those stampeding Buhari are blackmailers

The NJC had recommended Mr. Onnoghen to President Buhari to be the substantive chief Justice of Nigeria.

He was, however, approved by the president to perform in acting capacity.

Aware that Onnoghen’s role as acting CJN will lapse on February 10, Nigerians from different quarters and groups have continued to criticise Buhari for not submitting his name to Senate for approval as substantive CJN.

There are insinuations in some quarters, especially among those who accuse Buhari of favouring a section of Nigeria and people of Islamic faith, that the president may have refused to forward Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for approval because he is a Christian from the southern part of the country.

The pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, recently issued a 9-day ultimatum to  President Buhari, advising him to quickly forward Onnoghen’s name to the National Assembly for confirmation or face a backlash.

 

 

 

 

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