Nigeria
The United Nations has condemned described the suspension of Nigeria’s chief justice by )president Muhammadu Buhari, saying it broke international human rights standards on independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.
“International human rights standards provide that judges may be dismissed only on serious grounds of misconduct or incompetence,” said Diego Garcia-Sayan, the U.N. special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.
Buhari, who was a military ruler in the 1980s and was voted into office in 2015, is hoping to win a new term in a presidential election scheduled to take place on Saturday.
ALSO READ: A quick look at what’s at stake in Nigeria’s 2019 General ElectionsThe chief justice could preside over any dispute over the election result. Nigeria’s judiciary has helped resolve electoral disputes in past votes, some of which have been marred by violence and vote rigging.
“Any decision to suspend or remove a judge from office should be fair and should be taken by an independent authority such as a judicial council or a court.’‘
Garcia-Sayan, who is mandated by the U.N. Human Rights Council to investigate legal and judicial independence, said dismissing judges without following legal procedures or offering a chance to contest the decision was incompatible with the independence of the judiciary.
Legal battles
Buhari suspended Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen on Jan. 25 following an order by a tribunal on public officials’ conduct and replaced him with Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad.
But four courts superior to the tribunal had already ordered a stay of proceedings and the tribunal had previously said it lacked jurisdiction over cases involving judicial officers, Garcia-Sayan said.
The U.N. statement said some of the judges and the defence lawyers involved in Onnoghen’s case had been subject to serious threats, pressures and interference.
01:05
Nigeria: Govt workers salaries increased by up to 35 percent
Go to video
Nigerians pick sides as Wizkid and Davido clash online
02:14
Malaria: The plight of residents of low-income neighbourhoods
01:25
UN calls for de-escalation as fighting intensifies for control of North Darfur state capital
01:50
Guinness World Record: Chess champion returns home to Lagos
01:38
Sexual violence in conflict increased by 50% in 2023, says UN