Lawyers in Cross River on strike over Onnoghen's CCT trial

- Lawyers in Cross River state under the aegis of NBA have withdrawn their services in protest of Justice Onnoghen's trial

- NBA has described the arraignment illegal and that they would resist the federal government's attempt to arraign the chief justice

- The group claimed the government is trying to ridicule the office of the CJN

Lawyers under the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Cross River chapter, are protesting against the arraignment of Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen as they withdrew all services on Monday, January 14.

In a six point communique, the group described the trial as unconstitutional and said they would resist any attempt by the federal government to put Onnoghen on trial, even as it said it is support of the association’s stand, Vanguard reports.

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The group condemned the trial by saying the federal government have assaulted and ridiculed the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The group said: “We condemn in its entirety the unlawful manner in which the federal government and its agencies have assaulted ,ridiculed and degraded the revered office of the Chief Justice Nigeria and indeed the entire Judiciary in the country by orchestrated media trial of the CJN.

“Whilst not condoning corruption in all its ramifications, we insist that, the rule of law must be followed by the Federal Government of Nigeria in its avowed fight against corruption ,especially as it has to do with the proposed arraignment of the CJN or any other Judicial officer in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as laid down in its locus classsicus of Nganjiwa vs FRN(2017)LPELR-43391(CA)where the Court of Appeal made it absolutely clear that any misconduct attached to the office and function of a judicial officer must first be reported to and handled by the National Judicial Council, NJC pursuant to the relevant provisions of the law.”

NBA, Cross River chapter, also said President Muhammadu Buhari’s government must act according to the rule of law, while also stressing that the country is becoming undemocratic in nature.

They said:“Democracy strives under the rule of law .The present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, having come under a Constitutional democracy and not being a military dictatorship ,must in all its dealings with the citizens of Nigeria and other Arms of the Government ,abide by the Rule of Law”

“We are gradually sliding into totalitarianism in this country, this cannot happen to that revered office without due process, we condemn in its totality and we reject it in its entirety, this ordeal is an Orchestrated media trail and cannot be allowed to stand or even see the light of day."

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the trial of Justice Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over his alleged false assets declaration, had led to several debates in every corner of the nation.

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While some people are in support of Onnoghen being arraigned, others have kicked against it and warned the federal government to tread carefully to avoid crisis in Nigeria.

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South-South governors condemn trial of CJN Onnoghen | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng