Unic Press UK: The ‘suspended’ Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen and the acting CJN, Tanko Mohammed have seven days to respond to the petition(s) against them, the National Judicial Council (NJC) said Tuesday.
During today’s emergency meeting, which follows the crisis created by the Nigerian government over the ‘unconstitutional’ suspension of Onnoghen and the appointment of Tanko Mohammed as acting CJN, the NJC considered four (4) petitions before it, viz. One, a petition against Walter Onnoghen, JSC, submitted by Zikhrillahi Ibrahim of Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civil Education. Two, a petition against Judge Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, JSC, filed by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative. Three, another petition against Judge Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, presented by Olisa Agbakoba, SAN. Four, a petition against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Yakubu Umar, by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative.
NJC says Onnoghen and Mohammed have seven days to respond to the issues raised against them. The petition against Umar of the CCT has been referred to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
President Buhari had, last week, announced the suspension of Onnoghen; and appointed Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as acting CJN, citing an Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The president’s decision runs against laid down procedure that the NJC is the only constitutional body empowered to hear petitions/complaints against a judge in the first instance. Besides, the president acted in contempt of an Order of the Appeal Court that the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) should maintain a stay of proceedings with regard to the six-count charge against the CJN, Walter Onnoghen.
