Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of orchestrating the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, as part of a political strategy to secure victory in the 2019 general election.
In a letter addressed to the current CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Clark alleged that Buhari, in collaboration with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), wrongfully suspended Onnoghen to pave the way for election manipulations. He described the action as a calculated political move to eliminate judicial opposition.
Clark praised the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit Onnoghen of false asset declaration charges, labeling the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. He also criticized the suspension process, noting that it contravened constitutional provisions requiring the involvement of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the National Assembly in such matters.
Reflecting on the events of 2019, Clark said, “Justice Onnoghen’s removal was not about justice but a deliberate attempt to sideline him to ensure no resistance to electoral malpractice. He was oppressed and humiliated by Buhari and Malami.”
The elder statesman also raised concerns about the lack of accountability for former leaders, calling for a renewed commitment to the rule of law under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. “No one, including the President, should be above the law. Once elected, a President remains an ordinary citizen immune only from prosecution during their tenure,” Clark emphasized.
He expressed disappointment over what he described as the selective memory of some former Presidents who accuse their successors of corruption while ignoring their own questionable actions. Clark highlighted the irony of Onnoghen’s treatment, noting that the same Justice Onnoghen had ruled in Buhari’s favor during the 2011 presidential election dispute but was later removed when perceived as an obstacle during Buhari’s 2019 re-election bid.
Describing the incident as “disgraceful, callous, and unjust,” Clark criticized Buhari for placing his political ambitions above the principles of justice and fairness. He concluded by calling the episode a dark chapter in Nigeria’s history and urged for lessons to be learned to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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