An eminent legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, has criticised the Federal Government for the planned arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

In a statement personally signed by him on Sunday, the senior lawyer said the government has no justification for its decision to arraign the CJN before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

He stated that the Constitution clearly provided for the procedure with which the Chief Justice of Nigeria can be removed from office.

Unlike other judicial officers, Mr Babalola stressed that the CJN can only be removed by the President, upon receipt of an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.

He also condemned the application seeking an order directing Justice Onnoghen to recuse himself from office pending the conclusion of the trial.

The prominent lawyer described the proposed arraignment of the CJN as one that unfairly degrades not only the judiciary but also the Constitution of the land.

•Sourced from a Channels TV report