International observers have expressed concern about the suspension of Nigeria's chief justice - just three weeks before a general election.

Judge Walter Onnoghen was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

He is facing charges for allegedly failing to declare his personal assets before taking office in 2017.

But the EU, UK and US have taken serious issue with his removal, suggesting it could "cast a pall over the electoral process".

Mr Buhari's decision has been called "an act of dictatorship" by his main challenger in next month's election, Atiku Abubakar.

Opposition politicians have halted campaigning in protest at the president's decision to suspend the head of the Supreme Court.

President Buhari, who is seeking a second term, has often accused the judiciary of frustrating his anti-corruption fight.

However, no details have been given on the reasons behind the move.

Why the international pressure?
As the head of the judiciary, Nigeria's chief justice plays a vital role in settling election disputes.

The charges against the top judge and his subsequent suspension just before elections are widely seen as politically motivated.

The suspension came less than 24 hours before Mr Onnoghen was scheduled to swear in members of election tribunals.

"The decision to suspend the chief justice has led to many Nigerians, including lawyers and civil society observer groups, to question whether due process was followed," said the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in a statement.

The US embassy said it was "deeply concerned" at the decision to replace Judge Onnoghen "without the support of the legislative branch on the eve of national and state elections".

The British High Commission also expressed "serious concern over the suspension", saying in a statement: "It risks affecting both domestic and international perceptions on the credibility of the forthcoming elections".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47015698

it's null and void

No be them follow put us for this mess? When they were giving this idiot the support did they not know he was a tyrant... nonsense

This man is a criminal, what's the big deal in suspending him.

if e like make e cause intercontinetal concern. Onnoghen can't admit to the crime he is accused of and still remain the chief judge while investigation is going on on his case. all the so called international concerners know very well that they will not take the same shit if it happens in their country. they should go and sort the problems in their countriesand leave us.

That imposter that accepted that mantle of leadership must be disgrace.

They ar our problems

abdulazeez1002:
This man is a criminal, what's the big deal in suspending him.

Nobody is against his suspension or even removal...The due process was not followed. If buhari didn't have a hidden agenda, how could an acussation and arraignment be done in 3 working days....have you heard of such before as a layman? Not even in the western country woukd such happen within such a short time. I learnt the acting CJN consutuded an electoral tribunal panel today and the judges walked out on him, declining to swear them in. We are watching with keen interest

It seems it is only Yoruba Moslems that are in support of this. Anything they support must be evil. They can't set their mind to anything good.

Onoghen has been suspended, u guys should come to reality. the best thing u guys can do is to approach the court of law for redress.


No one will be spare in this anti corruption fight, we can't have a criminal as CJN. Even those in APC will still be dealt with.


It is only Buhari that can pull this through, the nation will be sanitize and more democratic leader will take over, but right now Nigeria need someone that is strong headed and with iron fist to fix this corruption that has form the foundation of this country.
Nigeria will be save

awelekiti:
Nobody is against his suspension or even removal...The due process was not followed. If buhari didn't have a hidden agenda, how could an acussation and arraignment be done in 3 working days....have you heard of such before as a layman? Not even in the western country woukd such happen within such a short time. I learnt the acting CJN consutuded an electoral tribunal panel today and the judges walked out on him, declining to swear them in. We are watching with keen interest

The due process we are following is what made us reach where we are today. Following due process in a country like Nigeria is a scam.
I 100% support his suspension

In the eyes of the international community, bubu has already cast doubts on the credibility of the coming next elections. US, UN, EU, France, Germany, China, UK and other world powers are watching the emerging despot in Nigeria.

Is it not ridiculously outrageous, utterly laughable and bemusing the kinds of incredibly lame arguments paid bmc hate mobs make here, after receiving new lies from their abuja coordinator, bashir ahmed? One asked whether US followed protocol when they killed Osama? Abeg, where's the correlation, bikonu ? Another was making flabby attempts to compare Sanusi during GEJ's era with Onoghen?? Na wa ooo Are they all empty-brained at that bmc center? I mean classic zombies?? No intelligent interviews before appointment? They mostly talk like SSCE school leavers!! .

Another one opened a thread with inferior infographics making basket arguments that bubu has powers to remove CJN. He was just going round in circles without actually saying anything intelligent or tangible.

For a little education for these enemies of the Nigerian state, there are 3 EQUAL ARMS of government. Is it okay for Saraki (as head of the legislature) to suspend bubu? or CJN to suspend bubu under the guise of an unsubstantiated claim? So, why is bubu suspending CJN when they're equal? You should have paid attention in your Government class in SS 1

abdulazeez1002:
The due process we are following is what made us reach where we are today. Following due process in a country like Nigeria is a scam.
I 100% support his suspension

Unfortunately, you could not decipher such a simple analogy of mine...no further comments

Two weeks ago, Osibanjo made us believe that the president was unaware of the CCT process on the Cjn.
It is very clear the action of the president is in total contradiction of what Osibanjo said. Which makes Osibanjo either a pathological liar or completely unaware of what is happening around the presidency.

Buhari just like the infamous and inglorious Abacha will also pass

abdulazeez1002:
The due process we are following is what made us reach where we are today. Following due process in a country like Nigeria is a scam.
I 100% support his suspension

The law must stand. We are not a banana republic. Buhari must follow due process and rule of law.

If buhari forces himself into power in 2019 too many sections awaits the zoooooo

WritePal:
In the eyes of the international community, bubu has already cast doubts on the credibility of the coming next elections. US, UN, EU, France, Germany, China, UK and other world powers are watching the emerging despot in Nigeria.

Is it not ridiculously outrageous, utterly laughable and bemusing the kinds of incredibly lame arguments paid bmc hate mobs make here, after receiving new lies from their abuja coordinator, bashir ahmed? One asked whether US followed protocol when they killed Osama? Abeg, where's the correlation, bikonu ? Another was making flabby attempts to compare Sanusi during GEJ's era with Onoghen?? Na wa ooo Are they all empty-brained at that bmc center? I mean classic zombies?? No intelligent interviews before appointment? They mostly talk like SSCE school leavers!! .

Another one opened a thread with inferior infographics making basket arguments that bubu has powers to remove CJN. He was just going round in circles without actually saying anything intelligent or tangible.

For a little education for these enemies of the Nigerian state, there are 3 EQUAL ARMS of government. Is it okay for Saraki (as head of the legislature) to suspend bubu? or CJN to suspend bubu under the guise of an unsubstantiated claim? So, why is bubu suspending CJN when they're equal? You should have paid attention in your Government class in SS 1

Majority of them are daft.