TheCable

Lawyers were divided over the directive from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to stay away from the courts in protest against the suspension of Walter Onnoghen as the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The association issued the directive at an emergency national executive committee meeting in Abuja on Monday.

It said the action which should last for two days is meant to serve as a warning to the federal government.

TheCable observed that while some complied, others ignored the directive. In Kaduna, all the courtrooms at the state high court complex, were empty.

Sule Shaibu, chairman of the association, led senior members of the branch to ensure compliance with the directive.

At the federal high court in Abuja, proceedings were suspended in some courtrooms over low turnout of lawyers.

In Lagos, however, normal court activities went on at the state high court in Igbosere, and at the Lagos high court in Ikeja.

“It is a house divided against itself,” Tayo Adeniyi, a member of the Lagos branch told TheCable.

Earlier, the Jigawa branch of the NBA had issued a statement defying the directive from the national body.

Bashir Hussaini, the state chairman, said his branch would not embark on any strike or boycott proceedings.

“The situation is a trying time for the legal profession. The parties should seek redress through legal means by appealing against the order of the tribunal for the suspension of the CJN. Instead of boycotting courts that will be detrimental to the parties,” he said.

Another group of lawyers under the aegis  Integrity Nigerian Lawyers Association, said the NBA’s directive is an attempt to shelve one single person from facing the law.

In a statement signed by AS Garba, the group’s chairman, “NBA’s position has exposed lawyers to ridicle which is dangerous for all of us as lawyers.”

Accused of false assets declaration, Onnoghen is currently standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Photo credit: Sunusi Musa