At least 150 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, have volunteered to defend the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen before Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT on Monday.
The CJN will be arraigned over alleged failure to declare his assets as required by law and for operating Bank Domiciliary Foreign Currency Accounts.
Constitutional lawyer, Sebastine Hon, SAN told Daily Trust on Saturday said the number of eminent lawyers that have volunteered to defend the CJN might even be more than 150.
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Mr Hon described the six-count criminal charge against the CJN as a deliberate attempt to gag the judiciary.
In a statement on Saturday, Mr Hon also urged the CJN not to heed to what he termed as an “unholy call” for him to step aside.
“While I know that the Chief Justice of Nigeria does not enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution, I see this move by the Federal Government as dangerously political and tendentious.
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“Suddenly, we woke to see a petition leaked to the informal or social media, allegedly received by the Code of Conduct on 9th January, 2019.
“Suddenly, we are told charges have been filed against the CJN. Suddenly the Presidency is reportedly asking him to step aside! Was he interrogated or interviewed and his own reactions obtained?”
