Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has leveled serious accusations against former President Muhammadu Buhari and his Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, accusing them of being involved in manipulative tactics aimed at influencing the judiciary to sway the outcome of the 2019 presidential election in Nigeria.
Clark claims that the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, was a deliberate action orchestrated by Buhari and Malami to facilitate electoral malpractice. He described this action as “disgraceful, callous, unjust, and barbaric,” and expressed deep concern over its negative impact on Nigeria’s judicial integrity and the broader democratic process.
In a letter directed to the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Clark praised the recent Court of Appeal ruling that cleared Onnoghen of the charges related to false asset declaration. He expressed strong support for the decision, emphasizing its importance in upholding justice and restoring integrity to the Nigerian judiciary.
Clark also commended the ruling as a significant step toward reaffirming fairness and accountability within the country’s legal system. However, he lamented that Buhari’s administration used constitutional powers unconstitutionally to suspend Onnoghen, an action he labeled as part of a broader agenda to manipulate the 2019 elections.
“President Buhari humiliated and oppressed Justice Onnoghen, all because he stood as a barrier to their plans for the 2019 elections,” Clark asserted, calling it a “disgrace” that Nigeria has only just recovered from. He expressed deep frustration that the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council failed to take a strong stance to defend Onnoghen during this difficult period, condemning their silence and inaction in the face of such injustice.
Clark continued by accusing former President Buhari of undermining judicial impartiality during his tenure. He argued that Buhari prioritized his personal ambitions over the core democratic values of justice and fairness, which are vital to the functioning of a just society. According to Clark, Onnoghen’s removal was a calculated move to facilitate electoral manipulation, with the fear that Onnoghen would resist unconstitutional actions during the elections.
“Justice Onnoghen would not have accepted the mischievous things Buhari wanted to carry out during the election,” Clark stated, further urging President Bola Tinubu to steer his administration towards transparency and integrity, devoid of the influence of “sacred cows.”
In conclusion, Clark's accusations call for a reassessment of Nigeria's commitment to justice, transparency, and electoral fairness, urging those in power to reflect on their actions and their impact on the country’s democratic principles. His statements underscore the need for reform and accountability in both the judiciary and political spheres of Nigeria.