NBA directs members to boycott courts nationwide over Onnoghen

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has directed its members across the nation to boycott courts from Tuesday over the suspension of Walter Onnoghen, chief chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The association took the decision at its emergency national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.

President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen on Friday and swore in Ibrahim Muhammad in acting capacity.

The lawyers said their action which would serve as a warning to the federal government will last two days.

On Friday, the association in a statement signed by Paul Usoro, its president, said Buhari’s action is an “attempted coup against the judiciary.”

Usoro described it as usurpation of powers of the senate and the National Judicial Council (NJC).

“The action of the executive portends a slide into anarchy and complete deconstruction of the rule of law and due process,” the NBA president had said.

“It amounts to an absolute breach of the Constitution and the usurpation of the powers of the senate and the Nigerian Judicial Council

“The Nigerian Bar Association demands the reversal of the purported suspension of Honorable Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON. We also call on the national assembly to assert its constitutional authority and powers and prevent this slide into chaos and erosion of the rule of law.”