EU And The United States Faults Onnoghen’s Suspension

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The European Union and the United States have both expressed deep concerns over the  timing of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen.

In separate statement released by the European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2019 General Elections and the Embassy of the United States in Nigeria, they both have noted what they described as the widespread Nigerian criticism that this decision is unconstitutional and that it undermines the independence of the judicial branch

“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”.

For the Part of the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) they are particularly concerned about the process and timing of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The  statement reads in Part “With 20 days until the presidential and National Assembly elections, political parties, candidates and voters must be able to have confidence in the impartiality and independence of the judicial system”.

The EU EOM further pointed out that the suspension which came just before the swearing in of justices for Electoral Tribunals and the hearing of election-related cases has questioned the opportunity for electoral justice.

The EU EOM is however calling on all parties to follow the legal processes provided for in the Constitution and to respond calmly any concerns they may have.

The Federal government is yet to react to the lastest position of the international community on the suspension of the CJN