A Coalition of Civil Society Organization in Kaduna State on Friday, matched in support of President Muhammadu Buhari over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen pending the determination of his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Hundreds of youths, including women and the physically challenged, staged a peaceful demonstration, saying they they were in support of the suspension.
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai while addressing the crowd expressed support over the suspension and described Justice Onnoghen as “shameless” for not quitting the stage.
The governor said the President did the right thing by asking Onnoghen to step aside, pending investigation.
He said it was unfortunate that some Nigerians were adopting some “technicalities” to delay the prosecution of the CJN.
He said:”The President did the right thing by asking him(Onnoghen) to step aside pending investigation. It is the proper thing to do. It is what is done in every organised and civilised society.
“He said in honour of the judiciary, he should step aside so that the charges against him can be investigated and prosecuted.
“But the man is shameless he does not want to go but it is time for Nigerians to come all out and tell him he must go. Our judiciary must be clean. Our judiciary must consist of judges who cannot be bought.”
The anti-Onnoghen protesters who came out as early as 7.00am, marched from the Sokoto road roundabout, just a few metres away from Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, where they converged and demanded the immediate resignation of the CJN from office to save the judiciary.
They carried placards with such inscriptions as “Onnoghen should face trial”; “the law must be allowed to take its cause: 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 of the CSOs in the State, Abdullahi Abdulrauf, said, “We are doing this(protest) because of the competency and integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
He said the CJN should be made to resign and face prosecution.
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