Adeboyega Awomolo, counsel to
Walter Onnoghen, suspended chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says his client’s
case has shown that the country’s judiciary is very weak and not independent.
Awomolo’s client is standing
trial for fasle asset declaration.
In a statement on Monday, the
lawyer said it is unacceptable that the executive arm of government is the
accuser, investigator, prosecutor and judge all rolled into one.
While calling for a reform, the
lawyer noted that constitution guarantees the independence of the three arms of
government
Awomolo said the CCT should have
tribunals established in each of the six geo-political zones of the country
because monopoly “breeds corruption.”
“The executive is the accuser,
investigator, prosecutor, the witness and the judge all roll together into
one,” he said.
“This is unacceptable under the
constitution that guarantees independence of the three arms of government.
There is urgent a need for constitutional reform.
“The Code of Conduct Tribunal
must have courts established in each of the six geo-political zones of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria. Monopoly has the ability to breed corruption,
arrogance, disregard for due processeses and partiality.
“The Code of Conduct Tribunal
should be a full member or part of the judiciary under section 6 of the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
“The 3rd lesson is that the case
has clearly shown that Nigerian judiciary is very weak.”
Awomolo wondered why there was no
verdict on Onnoghen’s appeal at the court of appeal six weeks after argument.
“There is no association of
Nigerian judges to speak a word. Let no public officer or judicial officer at
any level throw stones because if not at all, most are as guilty as Onnoghen,”
he said.
“Nobody knows who is next, a
precedent has been laid.”
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