NewStats: 3,262,808 , 8,178,214 topics. Date: Tuesday, 03 June 2025 at 04:20 PM 4k1n6

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to withdraw the non assets declaration charge it entered against the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.

The legal body, in a statement that was signed by its National President, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, asked FG to terminate further hearing of the matter at the tribunal and allow the National Judicial Council, NJC, to determine Justice Onnoghen’s fate.

The plea came ahead of the scheduled resumption of proceedings on the six-count charge the FG preferred against Onnoghen. The Mr. Danladi Umar-led three-member tribunal had on January 28, ordered the suspended CJN to ensure that he appeared before it on Wednesday to enter his plea to the charge.

The tribunal relied on provisions of the istration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, to insist that it would not hear any of the applications that are pending before it, until the defendant appeared in person for arraignment. However, the NJC, at the end of its emergency meeting on Monday, said it would on the same Wednesday, reconvene to take a decision on corruption allegations against Justice Onnoghen.

Consequently, the NBA which is the umbrella body of lawyers in the country, implored FG to allow the NJC which is the organ with the constitutional powers to discipline erring judicial officers, to conclude its probe on petitions against the suspended CJN. Besides, the NBA noted that the CCT boss had in his response to a query from the Federal Judicial Service Commission, FJSC, contended that he is only answerable to the Presidency. It argued that the position of the CCT Chairman made it imperative for FG to respect the doctrine of separation of powers by withdrawing the charge and following the due process of the law.

“The Nigerian Bar Association again urges the Executive arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria to discontinue this Charge against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S N Onnoghen, GCON, for the following reasons, amongst others: “First, as widely reported, one of the two petitions against the CJN that is currently before the National Judicial Council is an exact replica of the petition that motivated the CCT Charge. The second petition was reportedly presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission a FGN agency. “We commend the FGN for adhering to due process by submitting the EFCC petition to the NJC for consideration. In like manner and in adherence to the law and due process, we urge the FGN to discontinue the CCT Charge and allow the NJC consider the initial petition which, as widely reported, has already been responded to by the CJN.

“Second, the Chairman of the CCT, Hon. Danladi Umar, in his response to a petition that was written against him and which was forwarded to him by the Federal Judicial Service Commission, states emphatically that he and his Tribunal are answerable and report only to the Presidency, by law and practice. He is absolutely correct. “An insistence, in the circumstance, on the CJN, the head of an independent arm of the FGN, standing trial before a Tribunal that is under the Presidency and is answerable only to the Presidency mocks the concept of and completely erodes the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional separation that should exist between the three arms of the FGN. “It is precisely for this reason that our Constitution created the NJC and we are pleased that the FGN has warmed up to the utilization of that due process, as illustrated by the submission of the EFCC petition to the Council.

“Third, and complementary to the two points afore-stated is the fact that the spectacle of having our CJN, while still holding that title, in the dock before the CCT or any other Court, truly diminishes all of us, not least the Executive arm of the FGN. “The NJC process allows an initial determination to be made on the petitions against the CJN and if His Lordship is found liable or wanting howsoever, appropriate sanctions would be imposed by the NJC including recommendation for his dismissal or retirement.

“In that event, he would no longer hold the office or title of CJN and could be prosecuted for any criminal infraction before the CCT or any other Court. An insistence on the CCT prosecution paints a picture of persecution of the CJN by the Executive and such a spectacle in no way ennobles the FGN Executive arm and/or its officials. Such a scenario should be avoided by all means. “Given these non-exhaustive considerations and facts, we press on the Executive arm of the FGN to please discontinue the Charge against the CJN when the matter comes up before the CCT tomorrow, Wednesday, 13 February 2019. “We respectfully urge full compliance with due process by FGN in this matter by allowing the NJC process to take its course in respect of the two petitions against the CJN –a step that has already, commendably, been embraced by FGN in respect of the EFCC petition”, the statement read.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/cct-trial-allow-njc-to-decide-onnoghens-fate-nba-begs-fg/


Justice Walter Onnoghen and President Buhari

I dedicate this FTC to the small boys and advocates of corruption on this forum threatening thunder and brimstone if Buhari refuses to reinstate Onnoghen as CJN. I telling you guys that Onnoghen is gone like yesterday. The 2 days strike by NBA is just their way of mourning the dead...

las las, Is everybody not alright now?

I when people were massively complain on the CJN been suspended. How will they react to this?
This is Naijaaaa, A country who value corruption morethan integrity. Surely, sooner or later, the result shall prevail
Sai atikulated coz half bread is better than none...

Chai, why can't I be first to comment

What is the meaning of this rubbish. They are demanding...not begging, please!
I don't know the hopeless reporter that pen this nonsense down.

By Monday everywhere go Don dey fully Atikulated and Justice and peace go reign

uzhofficial:
Chai, why can't I be first to comment

Isoright

Just stop using Glo network

I can bet my balls when you stop using Glo network you will be making front page and first to comment anyhow.
Although Glo data is cheap but Bros just stop using them

DUE PROCESS IS THE NORMATIVE SOUL OF LAW AND ORDER.The Supreme Court being a regulatory norm of the Society cannot be compromised FOR THOSE THAT WANTS TO SUBVERT due process and the hierarchy of Courts. Let all that have disputes in Court be accorded laid down standard of due process for both the state and the citizens."-J.E.Oshoke, Esq.

midolian:


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/cct-trial-allow-njc-to-decide-onnoghens-fate-nba-begs-fg/


Justice Walter Onnoghen and President Buhari

Consequently, the NBA which is the umbrella body of lawyers in the country, implored FG to allow the NJC which is the organ with the constitutional powers to discipline erring judicial officers, to conclude its probe on petitions against the suspended CJN.

Why are they begging him Doesn't the dullard know the law

Nigerians question the integrity of the president if he praises Ganduje then condemns CJN Onnoghen

Buhari will go down as the worst president ever in the history of Nigeria

Buhari doesn't respect the rule of law but all that would change soon when my incoming president takes over power.

Lol, abeg

Nonsense

Beg for what? Buhari must follow the due process.. Those ing Buhari on this are the real enemies or this country

midolian:


I dedicate this FTC to the small boys on this forum threatening thunder and brimstone if Buhari refuses to reinstate Onnoghen as CJN

buhari that has just few days to go. We are no longer concerned about that one.

What we are scared of is the precedence he's creating that would rue Nigerians for generations to come.

Atiku can now rely on a CCT order that's not even given by a judge to sack the CJN. Therein lies the problem we are trying to avoid. It's not about Buhari or APC. It's not even about this our generation.

Nigerian judiciary and Nigerian Police are tly at the apex of corruption chart in Nigeria.

Lol. From boycotting to begging.

Oh. They are now begging huh? Aren't they gonna keep issuing ultimatums anymore?

Didn't know the seven days ultimatum earlier given was one upon whose expiration,they'd go on q begging spree.

Spineless oafs.

Pachukwudi44, aka Ngwakwe right now.

So they can plead. I thought they will boycott the election

“Second, the Chairman of the CCT, Hon. Danladi Umar, in his response to a petition that was written against him and which was forwarded to him by the Federal Judicial Service Commission, states emphatically that he and his Tribunal are answerable and report only to the Presidency, by law and practice. He is absolutely correct.

“An insistence, in the circumstance, on the CJN, the head of an independent arm of the FGN, standing trial before a Tribunal that is under the Presidency and is answerable only to the Presidency mocks the concept of and completely erodes the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional separation that should exist between the three arms of the FGN.

“It is precisely for this reason that our Constitution created the NJC and we are pleased that the FGN has warmed up to the utilization of that due process, as illustrated by the submission of the EFCC petition to the Council.

Buhari has never believed in things being done properly.

He wants to be the acc, judge, and executioner in his own case.

The legal body, in a statement that was signed by its National President, Mr. Paul Usoro

Funny enough, he himself is currently on trial for corruption.


Imagine a crook in charge of other crooks dictating to the FG what to do with other crooks and looters?


This is the kind of rot and stench we must eliminate, the kind of rot that says to these horrible people that they are above the law.

Where are those mumus shouting US,UK,AU and so on,Onnoghen is history

What have you been waiting for since the petition was sent to you. You want to keep on postponing it thinking that Atiku will WIN and give amnesty to all the looters as he rightly said.
If not the FGN move the former CJN did not want to convene the sitting on these matter because he postponed it indefinately. So its too late to cry when the head is OFF.

Onnoghen Just hold on, Atiku is coming home.

Beg? What kind of journalism is this?