Justice Onnoghen’s Suspension in Perspective

President Buhari’s rapid compliance with the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal is curious. Firstly, it is a stark contrast to the Nigerian government’s more routine disobedience of court orders, especially those related to human rights enforcements. Secondly, Buhari’s compliance raises institution-defining questions about the prospects of democratic governance in Nigeria. Some of these questions are: Has the president, by suspending the CJN in compliance with the order of the tribunal, violated the spirit and letters of the Nigerian constitution? How well can the CJN superintend over a trial system and process given the possibility of being accused, and by the president, of an illegality? How reflective is the suspension on the processes of appointment and tenure of the Nigerian Supreme Court? What is the impact of the suspension of the CJN on the concepts of the rule of law, separation of power and the institutional independence of the courts? Will the timing of the suspension impact the integrity of the forthcoming elections? How much will Nigeria’s worsening ethnic and cultural cleavages influence public perception of the decision?