ABUJA, Jan. 28 -- The Nigerian government on Monday defended the president's suspension of the country's chief justice over alleged breach of asset-declaration rules.
Lai Mohammed, the minister of information and culture, told media in Abuja that the suspension of Walter Onnoghen was a consequence of his breach of the code of conduct for public officers, and has nothing to do with the forthcoming elections in February.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced the suspension on Friday and sworn in an acting chief justice on the same day. The move has triggered widespread reaction from within and outside the country.
Hundreds of lawyers of the Nigerian Bar Association took to street on Monday, and the main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday announced suspension of its presidential election campaign for three days to protest the suspension of Onnoghen.
The United States, Britain and the European Union also expressed concern on Saturday over the suspension.
Mohammed said suspension of Justice Onnoghen was a move by the president in compliance with the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which is to deal with the case, and it did not signify "the onset of dictatorship or tyranny as some have insinuated."
Mohammed added the threats of mass action by some groups cannot undermine the course of justice.
The suspended top judge was charged with operating secret accounts with millions of dollars undeclared. The suspension will last until the determination of the case against Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.