NJC Begins Emergency Meeting Over Onnoghen, acting CJN to abstain

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has commenced an emergency meeting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The meeting is ongoing as at the moment of this publication.

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.

Meanwhile Elombah News learnt that the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Mohammed, will not be at the sitting of the National Judicial Council later today, 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.

Elombah News has reported that the Senate on Monday filed a suit before the Supreme Court praying for among others, an order reinstating Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The NJC is statutorily chaired by chief justice of the federation, who is deputised by the next in the line of succession.

Prior to Mr Onnoghen’s suspension, he chaired the NJC meetings and was deputised by Mr Mohammed.

Mr Onnoghen is standing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on allegations of false asset declaration and concealment.

The NJC meeting is billed to discuss Mr Mohammed’s appointment and take position on Mr Onnoghen’s suspension.

Mr Mohammed has opted to stay away from the proceedings to allow for dispassionate proceedings, sources told Elombah News.

The acting Chief Justice is currently presiding cases at the Supreme Court.

With Messrs Onnoghen and Mohammed out of the picture, insiders said the meeting would have to resolve the first issue of who chairs the important session.

Two names are being thrown up: a former president of the Court of Appeal, Umaru Abdullahi, and Zainab Bulkachuwa.

While Mr Abdullahi is the oldest member of the council, Mrs Bulkachuwa is being touted to lead the meeting being the head of the next highest court of the country, the Court of Appeal.

However, a source at the NJC said the most senior justice of the supreme after Mr Mohammed, Bode Rhodes-Vivour, is being tapped to head the meeting.

“The meeting is always headed by the most senior judge, now that the CJN is suspended and the acting CJN is interested party, the next person, who should naturally be Tanko’s deputy will be the one to preside over the meeting,” a member of the NJC who pleaded anonymity for not being in a position to comment on the matter publicly said.

The meeting is expected to discuss allegations against Mr Onnoghen which led to his CCT trial, and eventual suspension.

At least three petitions are also said to be tabled before the NJC, with two against Mr Onnoghen and one against Mr Mohammed.

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