An international lawyer and human rights activist based in Washington, D.C, USA, has written to Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, asking him to clarify if the Nigerin Constitution and Senate have been suspended. Emmanuel Ogebe, Managing Partner of US Nigeria Law Group, said the query became necessary due to the suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari last Friday without carrying along the Senate as required by the country’s constitution.

The letter dated January 26, 2019, reads:

Dear Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu,

I am seeking clarification on the fraudulent and bogus purported “suspension” of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

1. “SUSPENSION”

The Nigerian Constitution says in Section 292:

“(1) A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances:-

(a) in the case of:-

(i) Chief Justice of Nigeria... by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.”

President Buhari’s announcement did not come with an attached address of 2/3 of the senate pursuant to the above.

Therefore I wish to inquire:

1.1 Has the senate deliberated on the matter of the removal of Chief Justice Onnoghen at any point this week? I wish to be provided a copy of said vote since it was reported that senate did not seat.

1.2 If General Buhari has not referred this matter to the senate but did so unilaterally, has the senate been suspended by him?

This question is very pertinent because Gen Buhari has a history and habit of suspending the legislature and the constitution.

2. As the most senior lawyer in the Legislature, I wish to call on you to clarify whether:

A. The senate has been suspended?

B. The constitution has been suspended?

C. The CJN has been suspended?

Thank you for your expected prompt response.

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