Presidency lashes out at US UK and EU for interfering in Nigeria's domestic affairs over CJN matter

NIGERIA'S presidency has warned the US and United Kingdom not to interfere in the country's domestic affairs after both governments expressed concern about the recent suspension of the chief judge of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen in the run-up to elections.

Last Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Justice Walter Onnoghen and replaced him with Justice Tanko Mohammed, who was sworn-in as the acting chief judge of Nigeria (CJN). Over the last few weeks, Justice Onnoghen has been involved in intense political jockeying with the government that involved him being charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Justice Onnoghen challenged the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him and filed a motion to that effect and there are several other legal suits on the matter also pending. Despite the matter still being before the law courts, President Buhari decided to suspend Justice Onnoghen and replace him with the Bauchi State-born Justice Mohammed.

In a swift response to the development, the UK, US and European Union (EU) called for caution, saying Nigeria should observe the rule of law in all its actions as elections approach. Justice Mohammed is seen as a lackey of the government and critics say the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) only appointed him because they felt he would deliver favourable judgements for the party.

Lashing out at the US, UK and EU for getting involved, President Buhari's spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, warned against foreign interference in the nation’s affairs. He said such interventions are capable of creating apprehension, distrust among citizens or undermining the transparency and acceptability of outcomes of the nation’s electoral process.

Mallam Shehu added: "Nigeria reserves the right to be insulated from suggestions and or interference with respect to wholly internal affairs and commends international laws, customs and norms that mandate and require nations and the comity to respect this prerogative to all. Nigeria is confident of its electoral processes and her preparation for the imminent elections and the federal government has supported the independent electoral umpire in both its independence and resources needed to accomplish our desire and insistence on free and fair elections.

“Although the question of foreign interference, whether state sponsored, promoted or otherwise has dominated recent elections and outcomes globally, the federal government assures citizens and the global community that it will fiercely and assiduously promote the will and the right of Nigerians to choose and elect their leaders without pressure or assistance from persons or entities that are not constitutionally empowered to participate in the process."

He added,  however, that the government welcomes the prevailing keen interest and partnerships for successful elections and a peaceful Nigeria. According to Mallam Shehu, the government has ensured the independence of all organs, institutions and arms of government to perform their functions in a manner that is transparent, and not lacking in integrity whether institutionally or by persons within such institutions or organs.

Furthermore, the government enjoined the citizens of Nigeria to confidently exercise their franchise in an orderly manner with the assurance of their security during and after the electoral process. Mallam Shehu further reiterated the readiness of the nation’s security forces to confront any plan or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the process whether by elements within or from outside the country.