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.