The National Judicial Council (NJC) says it has set up a preliminary committee to consider and review responses given to it by the embattled suspended CJN and the acting Justice Ibrahim Tanko. Mr, Onnoghen is being accused of failing to fully declare his asset being a public officer, while acting Justice Mohammed was accused of accepting to be sworn in instead of advising the federal government on what to do.
The duos are under investigation by the NJC as required by law.
The council sat on Monday as they were expected to give a verdict after hearing the responses of the two senior judges whom both were given one week to respond to queries issued to them.
Soji Oye, the spokes person of the NJC revealed that on Monday the NJC reconvened and constituted a Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee in line with regulation 17 of the NJC discipline regulation of 2017.
The committee were given three days to report back its findings to the NJC latest Feb, 13.
Mr, Oye added, “Council has also received a new petition written by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Hon. Mr. Justice. Onnoghen, GCON and has forwarded same to him for his response within seven (7) working days,”.
“Council reaffirmed its confidence in Hon. Mr. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, CON and continues under his Interim Chairmanship.”
Petitions
The petition against Mr Onnoghen was written by members of a group, Resource Centre for Civil Education, while the allegation against Mr Muhammad was written by a former Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, and another group, Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative.
Mr Onnoghen was suspended on January 25, 11 days after his trial on allegation of false asset declaration charge began at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on January 14.
If the duos are found guilty by the council after today’s meeting, the repercussion may include the appointment of a new CJN for the country.
