Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike said charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) , Walter Onnoghen are aimed at frightening the Judiciary, ahead of what he described as the planned manipulation of the 2019 polls.
The Governor who spoke at the Armed Forces Interdenominational church service at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port Harcourt, noted that the charges against the Chief Justice Of Nigeria are targeted at the Niger Delta, same way he said they muzzled former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said, “Since 1960 when Nigeria gained independence, for the first time in 2011, a Niger Delta person became the President. The entire country ganged up against him. They gave excuses and denied us a second term. We did not fight. We did not shed blood. He said his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian and they called him a weak man.
“Since 1960, no Niger Delta person has been the Chief Justice of Nigeria. When it came to his own time to be appointed the Chief Justice of Nigeria politics came in. They were not willing to appoint him. It was God that created the circumstances. The President was sick and was flown out. That was how Onoghen became the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“Now, because they believe that the Niger Delta is not part of this country, they have come again with all kinds of stories. They think they are talking to small children. Fabricated stories and said he did not declare his assets in 2011. Step aside for who to take over. We must know whether or not we belong to this country. Enough is enough. I have never seen people who are so desperate to cling to power”.
He added: “When they came before to attack the judiciary, I raised alarm. I told them what they were doing is part of their future plan. Unfortunately, NBA did not realise it. They chickened out and gave out their judges. Not knowing that the lion is still waiting somewhere to complete the assignment.
“They have INEC and the security agencies. They have plotted how to rig the elections. But they have not been able to gag the judiciary.
“In order for them to consolidate in their rigging machinery, they want to gag the judiciary . The only thing that they want to do is to intimidate the judiciary”.
Governor Wike expressed surprise that the Attorney-General of the Federation would be allegedly used by the Federal Government to bring charges against the Chief Justice Of Nigeria.
“They know and the law is clear. You cannot try any judge except the National Judicial Council approves. They know they cannot try the CJN. But all they are doing is to cause embarassment. Put fear in all the judges.
“An Attorney General who calls himself an Attorney General will sit and file such charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria one month to the general election. What kind of crisis are they setting up. They want to cause crisis in the judiciary and they think everyone should keep quiet?” he said.
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