Alleged Unlawful Removal: Ex CJN Onnoghen Breaks Silence, Gives Insights Into Why He Was Removed

*Says ‘I Was Not Given Fair Hearing’
Says ‘I Never Meet Atiku In My Life’

THE former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu
Onnoghen, has opened up as to why he was unconstitutionally removed
as the number 1 in the Judiciary.

Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen said he was removed
basically because it was rumored that he held a meeting with
Peoples Democratic Party PDP Candidate in the 2019 election, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar.

The former Jurist made this revelation at the unveiling of the
book “Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules,2009,
written by Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN.

This is the first time the former CJN will be publicly speaking
on his removal from office.

He noted that rule of law is the foundation of democracy, and in
a country where the rule of law is absent, is directly practicing
dictatorship and urged judges to ensure strict compliance with the
rule of law

Speaking on his removal he noted that even as a Chief Justice of
Nigeria, he was not given an opportunity to be heard during the
unfortunate incident.

“I have never meet Atiku in my life but unfortunately as a CJN,
I was never given an opportunity to even defend myself, it is only
the rule of law, that can only guarantee the right and privileges
of minority tribe from oppression and domination of majority tribes
in a country like ours.”

“Once a serving CJN who is the head of the judiciary and symbol
of that arm of government can be removed unconstitutionally and
without him being given the basic right to defend himself, whether
successfully or unsuccessfully, the justice system cannot, but be
on life support.”

“The ultimate cowardice exhibited is that the National Judicial
Commission, NJC, has two years later, not summoned the courage to
release its own findings.”

It is unfortunate that the ruling party think they have right to
be served justices at all cost without recourse to what the law
said,” while encouraging the other judges and legal practitioners
not be discouraged by the way he was treated, said the nation will
be doomed without rule of law and enforcement of fundamental
rights.

“ You can’t shave my head in my absence, it’s against natural
justice and common sense,” he added.

*Says ‘I Was Not Given Fair Hearing’
Says ‘I Never Meet Atiku In My Life’

THE former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu
Onnoghen, has opened up as to why he was unconstitutionally removed
as the number 1 in the Judiciary.

Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen said he was removed
basically because it was rumored that he held a meeting with
Peoples Democratic Party PDP Candidate in the 2019 election, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar.

The former Jurist made this revelation at the unveiling of the
book “Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules,2009,
written by Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN.

This is the first time the former CJN will be publicly speaking
on his removal from office.

He noted that rule of law is the foundation of democracy, and in
a country where the rule of law is absent, is directly practicing
dictatorship and urged judges to ensure strict compliance with the
rule of law

Speaking on his removal he noted that even as a Chief Justice of
Nigeria, he was not given an opportunity to be heard during the
unfortunate incident.

“I have never meet Atiku in my life but unfortunately as a CJN,
I was never given an opportunity to even defend myself, it is only
the rule of law, that can only guarantee the right and privileges
of minority tribe from oppression and domination of majority tribes
in a country like ours.”

“Once a serving CJN who is the head of the judiciary and symbol
of that arm of government can be removed unconstitutionally and
without him being given the basic right to defend himself, whether
successfully or unsuccessfully, the justice system cannot, but be
on life support.”

“The ultimate cowardice exhibited is that the National Judicial
Commission, NJC, has two years later, not summoned the courage to
release its own findings.”

It is unfortunate that the ruling party think they have right to
be served justices at all cost without recourse to what the law
said,” while encouraging the other judges and legal practitioners
not be discouraged by the way he was treated, said the nation will
be doomed without rule of law and enforcement of fundamental
rights.

“ You can’t shave my head in my absence, it’s against natural
justice and common sense,” he added.