Bill protecting CJN’s removal passes second reading at House of Reps

The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to prevent the arbitrary removal of judges for the second reading.

The bill was sponsored by Bob Solomon, from Rivers State and it sought the amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal.

According to the lead debate by Solomon, a judicial officer cannot be prosecuted by the CCB or appear before the CCT unless he has been removed from office.

He noted that the constitution did not contemplate the trial of a judicial officer before removal from office.

Solomon said if the amendment is successful, a president will require approval of the National Assembly before the removal of a CJN.

The bill was taken and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Recall that the former Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen, following allegations of non-disclosure of assets by the code of conduct bureau was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and was later forced to resign.