The ministry of foreign affairs
has described reactions from United States, United Kingdom and the European
Union over the suspension of Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN),
as inimical to the well-being and development of Nigeria.
The executive arm of the
government had come under harsh criticism since Friday when President Muhammadu
Buhari suspended Onnoghen who is being tried at the Code of Conduct Tribunal
(CCT) over alleged false assets declaration.
The foreign missions had kicked
against Onnoghen’s suspension, saying the timing gives cause for concern.
But in a statement on Monday,
George Ehidiamen Edokpa, the ministry’s spokesman, said it is unfortunate that
the foreign missions would align with the opposition, and their action portends
tolerance for corrupt act.
He said the Buhari administration
had been tolerant of criticisms and would not in anyway trample on the rights
of any individual.
“It is indeed unfortunate that
foreign missions would align with the opposition and seek to negatively
interpret actions by the federal government, no matter their positive basis and
intention,” the statement read.
“Had the Federal Government been
high-handed, would the opposition have been able to express its views, even to
the point of pouring invective on Mr. President? How best can the corruption in
the judiciary, which has enormously undermined the rights of the common man and
made justice available only to the highest bidder, be best tackled than by
ensuring that known cases are fundamentally tackled? Where is the rule of law,
if justice is applied selectively?
“These statements also portend
tolerance for corrupt acts and downplay the anti-corruption crusade of the
Buhari Administration, knowing fully that the suspended CJN had not denied the
charges against him and that probity requires of him to step aside while the
case is under scrutiny.
“Pertinent questions that the
opposition and their sympathisers must reflect upon are: How has the action of
Mr. President undermined the resolve for free and fair election? In what ways
does it undermine the independence of the Judiciary, except in the minds of the opposition and its
cohorts? What right has a representative of a foreign government to incense an
already volatile situation on the grounds that her Government has invested
heavily in the elections?
“It is insulting for any foreign
representative to claim the right to interference in Nigeria’s internal
affairs, based on the premise that its government has invested heavily in the
election. Nigeria has invested enormously, over the years, in election
processes of many African countries, and will continue to do so without
interfering in their internal affairs. Interference in Nigeria’s internal
affairs under any guise will therefore not be accepted.”
The ministry said Buhari
consistently demonstrated respect for the rule of law as a presidential
candidate and as the president and would engage in nothing to the contrary.
It added that it is absurd to
presume that the suspension of the CJN is geared towards rigging the
forthcoming elections in favour of the ruling party.
The ministry warned
representatives of foreign governments and organisations to desist from “using
the utterances and actions of opposition and individuals as a vehicle to
interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs”.
Earlier, the presidency had hit
the US, UK, saying their statements on Onnoghen was driven by unfounded
assumptions.
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