Onnoghen: Senate Approaches Supreme Court

The Nigerian Senate on Monday said it has approached the Supreme Court for interpretations on the powers of the president to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

In a statement issued by Special Adviser ( Media and Publicity) to Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu said the decision of the Senate meant the upper legislative body will no longer reconvene today as scheduled.

Read full statement;

“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 Clerk of the Senate Nelson Ayewoh had on Monday announced the postponement of resumption of plenary till February 19.