EFCC Asked To Arrest Ex-CJN Muhammad

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been asked to arrest former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

Naija News reports that Muhammad tendered his resignation on Monday, citing health issues.

Reacting to the development, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, said the EFCC needs to probe the allegations levelled against Muhammad by the 14 justices of the Supreme Court.

HURIWA in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the resignation of Muhammad was not enough to clear him of corruption allegations levelled against him.

The association reiterated its earlier call on the National Judicial Council and the Code of Conduct Tribunal to investigate the immediate past CJN.

It also reminded Nigerians that the allegations made against the former CJN are weighty, adding that his denial is not enough ground for acquittal.

HURIWA also applauded the swift action of President Muhammadu Buhari to have sworn in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting CJN.

The statement reads: “The resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria is not enough; the EFCC and the ICPC must swing into action, investigate, then if a cause of acton is ascertained, then arrest and prosecute him over the corruption allegations levelled against him by the 14 justices of the Supreme Court if a prima facie evidence exists.

“Jistice Tanko must be prosecuted just as his predecessor, Walter Onnoghen, who was probed and later removed on a controversial note following some allegations against him which was probed by both the NJC and the CCT.

“The investigation and probable prosecution of Tanko, if indicted, will set a precedent that Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade is not a joke unless it is a joke.”