A Coalition of Civil Society Organisation in Kaduna State on Friday backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, over alleged false asset declaration.
Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who also expressed his support for the CJN’s suspension, said Onnoghen “is shameless”.
Hundreds of placard-carrying youths, women and physically challenged persons as early as 7am marched through Sokoto road roundabout to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, asking the CJN to resign “to save the judiciary”.
Some of the inscriptions on their placards read, “Onnoghen should face trial”, “The law must be allowed to take its course”, “Onnoghen, just go please”, “Chief Onnoghen is a disgrace to the judiciary”, “We must support Mr President’s” and “Onnoghen, save the integrity of the judiciary and go now.”
Spokesman for the Coalition of Civil Society Organisation in the state, Abdullahi Abdulrauf, said, “We are doing this (protest) because of the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
He said the CJN should also face prosecution after his resignation.
The protesters later dispersed after el-Rufai addressed them in front of Government House.
The governor also told Onnoghen to quit.
According to him the President did the right thing in asking Onnoghen to step aside pending an investigation.
El-Rufai said, “It is the proper thing to do. It is what is done in every organised and civilised society.
“Unfortunately, some people in Nigeria are trying to make white black and black white. They are using technicalities to delay bringing this man to Justice. Mr President did not remove Onnoghen from office.
“He said in honour of the judiciary, he should step aside so that the charges against him can be investigated.
“But the man is shameless, he does not want to go but it is time Nigerians came out and tell him he must go. Our judiciary must be clean. Our judiciary must consist of judges who cannot be bought.”
Meanwhile, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Felix Hyat, and ex-Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurencia Mallam, have slammed the All Progressives Congress’ Next Level agenda.
They urged Nigerians not to allow the APC return to power, saying the party does not deserve to be entrusted with power again.
Hyat, who is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, accused the APC of failing in all its 2015 campaign promises to the people.
The PDP chief, who spoke at the party’s campaign rally in Sanga Local Government Area of the state, said, “