At a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, the lawmakers explained that it was contrary to the1999 constitution as amended that the Chief Justice of Nigeria would be in acting capacity despite the National Judicial Council’s recommendation that he should assume a full fledged Chief Justice of the Federation.
Caucus leader, Senator John Owan Enoh who was flanked by others raised fears that there may be something than meets the eye for the executive arm of government to have failed to forward his name for confirmation barely three months of his appointment in acting capacity.
“Exactly two months and fifteen days, the presidency has delayed and withheld to forward his name to the Senate for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria as required by Section 231(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended,” the caucus said.
They urged President Muhammadu Buhari to rise above ethnic and political predators behind the delay and confirm the Chief Justice, saying that judiciary as a bastion of democracy should be insulated from undue influence.
Senator Enoh added that Onnoghen was being held back in abeyance because he is not from the northern part of the country, which he said was preferable to the powerful forces.
“There is a growing sentiment in certain quarters that Justice Onnoghen is held in abeyance because he is not from a particular ethnic origin preferred by powerful forces,” he maintained.
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