UK, US flay Buhari’s suspension of Chief Justice … too close to election – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The United Kingdom and United States of America have flayed the suspension of the Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Mr. Walter Onnoghen by President Mohammadu Buhari on Friday, reports ITREALMS.

Both countries in a press statement available to ITREALMS expressed serious concerns over the suspension.

UK said they have heard a wide range of credible and independent voices, including in the Nigerian legal profession and civil society, who have expressed concern over the constitutionality of the executive branch’s suspension of the chief officer of the judiciary.

“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 national elections, gives cause for concern.

“It risks affecting both domestic and international perceptions on the credibility of the forthcoming elections. We, along with other members of the international community, are following developments closely,” the High Commission said.

Also UK enjoined all actors to maintain calm and address the concerns raised by this development through due process, demonstrating their commitment to respecting the constitution and the impartial administration of the rule of law.

“We further urge them to take steps to ensure that elections take place in an environment conducive to a free, fair and peaceful process,” UK submitted.

In a similar development, United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, via its Public Affairs Section decried the suspension and replacement of the Chief Justice, Mr. Onnoghen, reports ITREALMS.

“The Embassy of the United States is deeply concerned by the impact of the executive branch’s decision to suspend and replace the Chief Justice and head of the judicial branch without the support of the legislative branch on the eve of national and state elections.

“We note widespread Nigerian criticism that this decision is unconstitutional and that it undermines the independence of the judicial branch. That undercuts the stated determination of government, candidates, and political party leaders to ensure that the elections proceed in a way that is free, fair, transparent, and peaceful - leading to a credible result.

“We urge that the issues raised by this decision be resolved swiftly and peacefully in accordance with due process, full respect for the rule of law, and the spirit of the Constitution of Nigeria. Such action is needed urgently now to ensure that this decision does not cast a pall over the electoral process.”

Chuks Egbune/

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FG meets NASS, chief justice on new ease of doing business action plan

ITRealms:

The Federal Government (FG) has expanded the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) meeting Tuesday, to be attended by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, reports ITRealms.

Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, confirmed this to ITRealms, saying that in furtherance of the Buhari administration’s ease of doing business reforms, to be chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, considering new and specific initiatives to be implemented over a 60-day period in the National Action Plan 2.0.

“It will be recalled that a previous 60-day National Action Plan on Ease of Doing Business was approved on February 21, 2017, and contained initiatives and actions implemented by responsible Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the National Assembly, the Governments of Lagos and Kano states, as well as some private sector stakeholders,” he said.

Akande also said that the expanded PEBEC meeting, would be attended by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Kano State Governor, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as well as the Acting Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, who was invited to the session, based on stakeholder feedback.

PEBEC, ITRealms gathered was inaugurated in 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari, comprising 10 serving Ministers, with the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah, as Vice Chair, along with the Head of Service, the Central Bank Governor, representatives of the National Assembly, Lagos and Kano States, and the private sector.

Recently, the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) of the PEBEC released the 2016/2017 Reform Update document at the 5th Presidential Quarterly Business Forum held in Abuja on September 11, where the role of regulators as business facilitators was further discussed. This event was chaired by Prof. Osinbajo, and attended by ministers and Heads of Agencies, as well as leading companies in the private sector.

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