FG Slams Walter Onnoghen With Fresh Criminal Allegations

Onnoghen In Fresh Trouble

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation has sent a list of criminal allegations against Justice Water Onnoghen to the National Judicial Council, ahead of the NJC’s emergency meeting today.

https://twitter.com/jaspe96439060/status/1089150201212923904

Naija News learnt that the petition contains a number of damaging allegations against Justice Onnoghen, 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 said.

“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.”

Meanwhile, The National Judicial Council is expected to meet today (Tuesday) to deliberate on the controversial suspension of Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Neither Justice Onnoghen nor acting CJN Mohammed will preside over the NJC meeting today, Naija News understands.

According to the rules guiding the conduct of NJC meetings, five or more members can summon a meeting subject to a request made to the chairman.

Our constitution is now the basis on which the argument on the suspension of fmr CJN is predicted on. In my own opinion, I think this won't have been the case if this same constitution has being strictly followed in time past. #OnnoghenGate #OnnoghenSuspension

— Olawale Emmanuel🇳🇬 (@KoeatLtd) January 29, 2019