The entrance of the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Abuja, was alive on Monday with protesters, some protesting against the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen and some protesting in support of the suspension.
Whereas members of the National Interest Defenders and Lawyers in Defense of Democracy protested the suspension of the CJN, those of ‘One Nigeria,’ threw their support behind the President’s action.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen and swore-in Justice Tanko Mohammed as replacement last Friday.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Onnoghen’s trial: CCT adjourns indefinitely
The protesters against the suspension bore placards some of which read; “Tanko Mohammed, stop parading yourself as CJN;” “NBA must act now by ordering lawyers to down tool” and “NJC must reconvene now and expel Justice Tanko Mohammed,” among others while supporters of the suspension on their part said the President’s action was in the interest of the country as they argued that a corrupt judicial officer was a burden on the nation and must be shown the way out.
Meanwhile, as the protests were going on, the newly sworn in Acting Chief Justice, Tanko Mohammed was busy presiding over a five-man panel of the Supreme Court.
Other Justices on the panel were; Mary Peter-Odili, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Amiru Sanusi and Paul Galinje.
