More trouble for suspended CJN Onnoghen

…As NJC queries him over EFCC petition

…Apex judicial body may take decision on Onnoghen, Muhammad tomorrow

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

Contrary to expectation that the National Judicial Council (NJC) will determine the fates of suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, following petitions against them, the council on Monday shifted its decision till Wednesday this week. The decision however has heightened anxiety in judicial circles and the larger polity with stakeholders expressing fears that whatever decision the NJC takes on the duo finally may throw up more issues to worry about. However, more troubles appears to await the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria ((CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, as the National Judicial Council (NJC), on Monday, referred a petition written by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging financial impropriety to him for answers. The National Judicial Council at end of its emergency meetings on Monday over the suspension of Justice Onnoghen from office by President Muhammadu Buhari based on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), also gave Justice Onnoghen seven days to respond to the query. It constituted a ‘Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee’ under its own Regulation 17 to consider the responses of Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, and Hon. Mr. Justice I.T. Muhammad, to the three petitions earlier written against them. A statement signed by Soji Oye, Esq., the Director (Information), NJC stated that “members resolved to constitute into the Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee in accordance with Regulation 17 of the National Judicial Council Judicial Discipline Regulations, 2017 and report to Council on the 13th of February 2019.” It said the Council will reconvene on Wednesday, 13th February, 2019. Council also received a new petition written by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, and forwarded it to him for his response within seven (7) working days. Council reaffirmed its confidence in Hon. Mr. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, and continues under his interim chairmanship. It would be recalled that Justice Walter Onnoghen and Justice Ibrahim Muhammad who are the Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively, of NJC, had excused themselves from the meetings following petitions written against Justice Onnoghen, Justice Muhammad and Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Danladi Umar. While the Council had referred the petition written by Zikhrillahi Ibrahim of Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civil Education to Justice Onnoghen, it referred the petitions written by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative and Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) to Justice Ibrahim Muhammad. The fourth petition written by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative against Danladi Yakubu Umar, Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, was referred to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) which is the appropriate constitutional body empowered to deal with it. Though, NJC was silent on the details EFCC petition against Justice Onnoghen, sources privy to it said it is about undisclosed bank account belonging to the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. According to the source, the Heritage Bank account was also not listed by Onnoghen in his assets declaration form and it contains a $30,000 payment by Joe Agi (SAN), who was questioned by the agency last week. The $30,000, according to the EFCC sources, was paid into Onnoghen’s account sometime in 2009, adding that there were several other “suspicious payments” also traced to his accounts between 2011 and 2013. Some lawyers who spoke about Onnoghen trial on Monday but pleaded animoumosity said the public should allow NJC to conclude it investigation and reach decision before any other step is taken in order to preserve the integrity of the Judiciary.