The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has kicked against the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The president had earlier on Friday suspended Onnoghen as CJN and sworn in Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad from Bauchi state as a replacement.
Buhari, who said that the suspension was based on the order of Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on January 23, 2019, maintained that Muhammad is the next to Onnoghen in the order of seniority.
But in a statement signed by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, CUPP spokesperson, and made available to the press late Friday evening, the coalition of opposition parties claimed that it would not recognise any other person who may be occupying the office of CJN illegally.
It also alleged that the removal was aimed at stopping the swearing in of members of the 2019 general election petition tribunal.
“As far as the law of the land is concerned, Onnoghen remains the CJN. We will not recognise any other person who may be occupying that office illegally.
“The CJN can be removed from office either if he has been convicted or if under section 291 and 292 of the constitution, the Senate affirms a request by the president to remove him by two-third majority vote.
“They filled a motion to remove him from the tribunal but the Appeal court restrained them and just few hours to the inauguration of the supreme court election panel that will hear pre and post 2019 election, the CJN was removed,” the statement read in part.
Continuing, it said “we have been vindicated on our earlier alarm that Buhari wants to appoint pro-APC CJN to help use the judiciary to affirm APC candidates in the 2019 pre and post election litigation.
“We hereby call on lawyers, judges and judicial staffs to downtool immediately. This is the last battle and it must be won. The NBA should immediately call out all lawyers. All courts must be shut now while nationwide protest against this impunity should also commence.
“The CJN must remain in office and disregard this announcement as the president has no power to suspend him.
“The Senate should reconvene now and start impeachment process against the president for acting against the provision of the Constitution he swore to uphold.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Mr Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR was born on the 31st December 1953. He hails from Doguwa, Giade Local Government of Bauchi State. He attended primary school at Giade Primary School from 1961 to 1968. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Azare from the year 1969 to 1973.
His Lordship then proceeded to Abdullahi Bayero University College, Kano for his IJMB from 1975 to 1976. After successful completion of his course, His Lordship got admission to read Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1976 to 1980. He attended Nigerian Law School from 1980 to 1981.
In furtherance of his educational career, Justice Muhammad went back to the prestigious ABU, Zaria for his Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) on a part-time basis, from 1982 to 1984. In order to update himself in the field of Law, His Lordship went back to ABU, Zaria in 1987 to 1998 and obtained his Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Law, also on a part-time basis.
Hon. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR was appointed as Magistrate Grade II from 1982 to 1984 with Bauchi State Judiciary. He rose to Senior Magistrate Grade II from 1984 to 1986. His Lordship was appointed as the Provost, College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Bauchi from 1986 to 1989.
He was appointed Chief Magistrate/Deputy Chief Registrar, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from 1990 to 1991. From 1991 to 1993, he was appointed as Kadi (Judge) of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State.
Justice Muhammad was elevated to the position of Justice of the Court of Appeal from 1993 to 2006. His Lordship was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the year 2006 and was sworn in on the 8th of January 2007, the appointment he held till his swearing in as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
