NJC Sets Up Panel To Probe Onnoghen, Acting CJN

Eniola Olayemi

National Judicial Council (NJC) has set up a complaints committee to listen to issues raised over the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen and his replacement, Justice Tanko Mohammed.

The NJC had given the two senior judicial officers seven days to respond to petitions filed against them with the NJC.

The Judicial Council also forwarded a new petition by The EFCC to Justice Onnoghen.

Onnoghen was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari after an order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over a false declaration of assets.

In a statement by the NJC, it said it has constituted a Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee under Regulation 17.

”The National Judicial Council reconvened today in an Emergency Meeting to consider the responses of Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON, and Hon. Mr. Justice I.T. Muhammad, CFR to the three petitions written against them,” the statement reads.

Members resolved to constitute into the Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee in accordance with Regulation 17 of the National Judicial Council Judicial Discipline Regulations, 2017 and report to Council on the 13th of February 2019.

The Council will reconvene on Wednesday, 13th February 2019.

the premier news understands that the Council also received a new petition written by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON and forwarded it to him for his response within seven (7) working days.