Onnoghen: Senate Cancels Emergency Session, Drags FG to Court

Malik Yahya/

The Nigerian Senate has cancelled tomorrow’s emergency session over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

It has, however, gone to court to challenge the action of the Federal Government.

Clerk of the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh, who announced the cancellation of the emergency session said members would resume on February 19 as scheduled.

The Senate went on break last week for the General Election, beginning from the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 16.

Explaining why the emergency plenary was suspended in a separate statement, media adviser to Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the Senate had decided to challenge the suspension at the Supreme Court.

“Earlier today, the Senate filed a case in the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court, seeking its interpretation on whether President Muhammadu Buhari acted within the provision of the constitution in his suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Walter Nkannu Onnoghen or whether the action of the President does amount to usurpation of the powers of the Senate as provided for in Section 292 of the constitution.

“Following the filing of the case, the matter of the suspension of the CJN which is the main issue for which the Senate had planned to reconvene tomorrow, has become subjudiced.

“Therefore, in line with the standing rules of the Senate not to debate issues that are already pending before the court, the reconvening of the Senate tomorrow has been put off. The previous adjournment of the Senate till February 19, 2019 stays,” the statement says.

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