|
Listen to article
|
Edwin Clark, elder statesman and respected public figure, has praised Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for her decisive actions in addressing the injustices faced by Justice Walter Onnoghen, her predecessor. Clark underscored that her efforts are a significant move towards reinforcing justice and equity within Nigeria’s judiciary.
Writing through a deeply emotional open letter, Clark, who served as a 2nd Republic Senator, former minister, and former secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association in Warri, expressed his admiration and support for the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s efforts to address the injustices endured by Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The Eastern Updates sighted a letter in which Clark denounced the 2019 removal of Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari, condemning the act as “shameful, unjust, callous, and barbaric.”
“I have today decided to extol the Chief Justice of Nigeria for resolving into finality the humiliation meted to the brilliant former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen,” Clark said.
The elder statesman noted that this was his second open letter to Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun, in which he commended her appointment as CJN. He contrasted her leadership with that of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, whose tenure, he remarked, was “leading us deep into an unknown destination.”
Clark stated, “Nigerians are behind you and they are praying for you every day because without an efficient and incorruptible judiciary, Nigeria will end up as a failed country.”
Underscoring the importance of cleaning up the judiciary, Clark noted that “Many Nigerians since then have congratulated you for starting the serious and genuine clean-up of the Nigerian Judiciary including all its associates because you believe it has been your home for years. You must clean it up and Nigerians are behind you and they are praying for you everyday because without an efficient and incorruptible judiciary, Nigeria will end up as a failed country.”
Clark continued his critique of President Buhari, condemning the action taken against Onnoghen, which he insisted remains “a shame that Nigeria is only beginning to recover from.”
He added, “Is it not disgraceful and unpatriotic to invite such person to council of state meetings, public functions or any government functions, pretending these were good Head of State and President of Nigeria? No.
Read also: New CJN Kekere-Ekun Warns Judicial Officers On Corruption
“I was much concerned about the injustice that was being executed by President Buhari with impunity. To humiliate a whole Chief Justice of Nigeria, another tier of the government, must be condemned and infact brought to trial in the law court for this unpatriotic act.”
According to Clark, Buhari saw Onnoghen’s principled stance and independence as a threat to his second-term bid, which made his removal a calculated move.
Clark advised President Bola Tinubu’s government not allow sacred cows to exist in Nigeria no matter whose ox is gored.
In the closing part of his letter, expressed joy at reports of settlement between Onnoghen and the judiciary.
“I am therefore very happy to have read that both the judiciary, particularly the Court of Appeal and the former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen have come to an amicable settlement and I wholeheartedly congratulate him for passing out the ordeal he was subjected to by the former President and I pray God will protect him and for him to always have the courage to fight for his right because Nigeria belongs to all of us and we are all equal citizens.”
On November 4, the Court of Appeal in Abuja discharged and acquitted Justice Onnoghen from his conviction of false assets declaration by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The conviction of Onnoghen was thrown out by the appellate court following the resolution of the issues that led to his trial and conviction.
