By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - The U.S. and the U.K. on Saturday voiced their concerns over the suspension of Nigeria's chief justice on the eve of the country's general elections.
“We note widespread Nigerian criticism that this decision is unconstitutional and that it undermines the independence of the judicial branch,” the U.S. embassy said in a statement in the capital Abuja.
It called for urgent resolution of the crisis in “accordance with due process”.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen who faces charges of not declaring his assets and operating overseas accounts.
The suspension came amid legal logjams over whether or not the top judge could be tried by the code of conduct tribunal, with Buhari saying the judge was already using his office to stall his trial.
British High Commission in the country said it was concerned about the timing of the suspension, warning the move could affect the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
“We respect Nigeria's sovereign authority and its right to adjudicate on constitutional provisions but as friends of the Nigerian people, we are compelled to observe that the timing of this action, so close to the national elections, gives cause for concern,” it said in a statement.
Buhari said in a statement suspending Onnoghen that he acted on an order of the tribunal hearing the matter that the chief justice should step aside while he faces his trial.
The suspension came hours after Onnoghen said that he had not resigned from office. The government had told the tribunal that the chief justice should stand down for the trial to begin.
Buhari has already sworn in justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed as acting chief justice in a step likely to draw mixed reactions from the legal community and political opposition, which had been supporting Onnoghen.
The trial and suspension of the chief justice adds to the long list of controversial steps Buhari has taken to tackle corruption in Nigeria since he came to power in 2015, with critics insisting he lacks respect for due process.
In 2015, Buhari’s administration charged the senate’s president with corruption, although he was later acquitted. In 2016, secret police made mass arrests of senior judges for alleged corruption.