Onnoghen’s Suspension: NBA Directs Lawyers To Boycott Courts For Two Days

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday ordered a two-day court boycott by lawyers beginning from today to protest the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The resolution was reached at an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the body.

The NBA warned that it would apply more measures if its demands are not acceded to.

Its communique reads: “That Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen GCON remains the CJN and that his purported removal from office is null and void.

“That the NBA does not recognise Mr. Justice Tanko Mohammed JSC as the Acting CJN, his appointment being null and void.

“That the NBA demand the immediate reversal of the purported suspension from office of Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen as the CJN by the President on the 25th January 2019.

“That pursuant to three above, the NBA has resolved to proceed on two days warning boycott of courts across the Federation from tomorrow Tuesday the 29th of January 2019 to Wednesday the 30th of January 2019 to press home its position and demands.

“That, where the demands are not immediately complied with by the Executive, then more actions by the NBA will follow.

To this effect therefore, the members of the NBA, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) are hereby put on notice to boycott all courts within and outside jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory from tomorrow Tuesday the 29th of January 2019 to Wednesday the 30th of January 2019.”

The NBA also set up a committee led by two former Presidents of the association, Chief Wole Olanipekun and Abubakar Mahmud, to liaise with lawyers serving in the Buhari administration with a view to finding a solution to the problem.

On Monday, lawyers and some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had stormed the premises of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja, to protest against the suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and his replacement with the Acting CJN, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed.

The interest groups include National Interest Defenders and Lawyers in Defence of Democracy.

The protesters held banners, which called for the reconvening of the National Judicial Council, as well as the sack of the acting CJN.