The National Judicial Council says it has concluded
investigation on the petitions written against the suspended Chief Justice of
Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, and the Acting CJN, Justice Tanko
Muhammad.
A statement by the Director, Information of the NJC, Soji
Oye, said the council had sent its report to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The council said it considered it inappropriate to share the
report with the public before Buhari received it. It, however, said it did not
investigate the petition containing allegations relating to assets declaration
levelled against Onnoghen. It said it
refrained from taking a decision on it because it was the subject matter of ongoing
trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The statement read, “The National Judicial Council
reconvened today in an Emergency Meeting to consider the Report of the Five-Man
Committee constituted to investigate the allegations of misconduct made against
Hon. Mr. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON and Hon. Mr. Justice I. T. Muhammad,
CFR.
“Council decided that the allegations relating to assets
declaration that were levelled against Hon. Mr. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON
were subjudice and therefore abstained from considering them.
“Council reached a decision on the petitions written by
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others and conveyed its
decision to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Council also resolved that, by
the nature of the decision reached, it would be inappropriate to publicise it
before conveying it to Mr. President.”
