BREAKING: Buhari Does U-turn, Petitions NJC Over Onnoghen

President Muhammadu Buhari has petitioned the National Judicial Council [NJC] against the Chief Judge of Nigeria [CJN], Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Elombah News has reported that the President suspended the former CJN without recourse to the NJC.

The office of the Attorney-general of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, sent the petition to the NJC ahead of the Council’s emergency meeting on Tuesday (today), Elombah News was told.

The petition contains a number of damaging allegations against the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), including bank statements and title deeds of properties said to have been traced to him.

The figures involved are said to be in billions of naira and several millions of dollars as well as dozens of houses.

“The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) did not file these criminal allegations against the CJN at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) because it is a separate issue from non-declaration of assets,” a senior official of the ministry told TheCable.

“There have been questions about the legality of Onnoghen’s suspension by the president, but section 11 of the interpretations act states clearly that he who has the power to appoint also has the power to discipline. We are convinced the president acted within the laws of the land.”

“Nevertheless, the more serious criminal allegations have now been fully investigated. These allegations point to unexplained wealth. The entire bundle has been sent to the NJC so that the body can do its job and allow Onnoghen to face criminal prosecution. That is a completely different matter from the case of non-declaration of assets before the CCT,” the official added.

Elombah News has reported that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has commenced an emergency meeting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The meeting was convened as part of the moves to resolve the legal quagmire Nigeria is plunged into following the suspension of Justice Water Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Mohammed, will not be at the sitting of the National Judicial Council, as the council is set to debate issues around the suspension of his predecessor Walter Onnoghen.

Mr Mohammed was appointed in controversial circumstances by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

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