International Journal of Political Science and Development

Vol. 9(1), pp. 31-40, January, 2021. 

DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2021.005

ISSN: 2360-784X

 

Full Length Research

 

Conspiracy and Violation of Constitutional Proviso in a Liberal Democratic System: The Experience of Walter Onnoghen, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria

 

Ukwuije, Chima B.

 

Directorate of Academic Collaboration and linkages, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, P. M. B. 1033 Owerri.

E-mail: bonchuk2002@gmail.com

 

Accepted 12 January 2021

ABSTRACT

 

Separation of power is mainly to check abuse of power, undue interference and dominance in one aspect of national life, decision making or implementation of public programmes and projects by an arm of government. As such, the administration of the State has been divided among the tires of government; each with constitutional definition of powers and function. A situation where an arm of government jumps the constitutional process or usurps the powers of the other arms of government is considered to have emanated from conspiracy. Conspiracy is an enemy of democracy because it undermines democratic values like due process, rule of law; while encouraging continuity of the ruling class even if it is achieved at the expense of the citizens and contravention of the law. Conspiracy of the Northern politicians is what armed the President to overlook the constitutional proviso in section 292 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended to suspend the immediate past CJN, Justice Onnoghen. Unfortunately, it has created an indelible dent in the history of Nigerian judicial system. In democratic systems, there is politics behind every government action, but why it is worrisome in Nigeria is because it has always been retrogressive and opposed to democracy and development. The President did not start with Onnoghen neither did he stop after him. There are several other appointments made by him which confirms the conspiracy of the Northern politicians. The present administration is helping the North to dominate every aspect of government machinery without minding the provisions of the Federal Character Principles.

 

Keywords: Conspiracy, constitution, democracy, Onnoghen

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Cite this article as: Ukwuije, C.B. (2021). Conspiracy and Violation of Constitutional Proviso in a Liberal Democratic System: The Experience of Walter Onnoghen, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria. Int. J. Polit. Sci. Develop. 9(1) 31-40