CJN Warns FG: You’re ‘Inviting Anarchy’ By Flouting Court Orders

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, has frowned at the alleged disregard for the rule of law by the Federal Government.

CJN Onnoghen, while delivering a lecture at the Law Faculty of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday, warned that the Federal Government was ‘‘inviting anarchy into the system’’ by its constant disobedience to court orders and rule of law in the country.

The CJN, who spoke on the topic ‘‘The Rule of Law as Panacea for Peace, Security and Good Governance’’, said it is undemocratic of any government to have contempt for the rule of law.

Onnoghen equally said challenges such as insecurity, killings, amongst others, currently facing the country are some of the consequences of government’s disobedience to court orders and disregard for the rule of law.

He said: “Any government that is against the enthronement of the rule of law is by implication inviting anarchy into the system. A democratic government must not only obey the law but also courts’ orders.

“I have said it before and I am saying it again that if given four years of adherence to the rule of law, Nigeria can change. The problem of insecurity, killings, among others will become a thing of the past.

“But rather than confronting our fears which is how to satisfy the minority groups, we keep creating states and local governments yet the fear remains.

“But if the rule of law is to be put in place, the minority groups will know that even if they are to be violated, they can go to court and get justice,” said the CJN.