Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has made serious allegations against former President Muhammadu Buhari and his Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, accusing them of using manipulative tactics to influence Nigeria’s judiciary in an effort to sway the outcome of the 2019 presidential election.
Clark alleges that the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen was part of a calculated plan to facilitate electoral malpractice. He condemned this action as “disgraceful, callous, unjust, and barbaric,” expressing concern over the damage it caused to Nigeria’s judicial integrity and democratic process.
In a letter to the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Clark commended the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, which cleared Onnoghen of charges related to false asset declaration. He praised the ruling as a significant step toward restoring justice and integrity to the judiciary, emphasizing its importance in upholding fairness and accountability in the legal system.
Clark lamented that Buhari’s administration had misused constitutional powers to unlawfully suspend Onnoghen, accusing the former president of humiliating and oppressing the former CJN. He claimed that Onnoghen was removed because he stood in the way of the administration’s election plans, describing the incident as a “disgrace” from which Nigeria has only recently begun to recover.
He also criticized the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council for their silence and lack of action during Onnoghen’s ordeal, expressing disappointment that these institutions did not do more to defend judicial integrity.
Clark further accused Buhari of undermining judicial impartiality, claiming the former president placed personal ambition above justice and fairness, essential pillars of democracy. He contended that Onnoghen’s removal was strategically designed to facilitate electoral manipulation, alleging that the administration feared the former CJN would resist unconstitutional actions during the election.
Clark emphasized that Onnoghen would not have tolerated the “mischievous” actions that Buhari sought to implement. He urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure his government remains free of “sacred cows,” prioritizing justice and integrity in the nation’s leadership.
