Following the sudden resignation of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, his lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) said the embattled CJN resigned in the interest of the judiciary
Awomolo who revealed this on Friday said that he personally spoke to Justice Onnoghen and he confirmed that he resigned.
Awomolo disclosed that his client explained that he took the decision in interest of the judiciary.
The lawyer said: “I have just spoken with him. He confirmed to me that he resigned on Thursday.
“He said he resigned in the interest of the Judiciary.”
The suspended CJN’s resignation comes 51 days after his trial began at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on January 14 and 58 days after the petition which birthed the said trial was submitted.
Onnoghen, who was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2005, had been recommended for the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria on October 6, 2016, by the NJC under its erstwhile leader, Mahmud Mohammed. He was, however, not confirmed by the Senate until March 7, 2017, due to the reluctance of President Muhammadu Buhari to submit his name to the Senate for confirmation.
He was eventually sworn-in on March 7, 2017, by then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, after the Senate’s confirmation.
His early exit commenced with his controversial suspension on January 25, less than 24 hours before he was billed to swear in a new set of judges to lead the various election petition tribunals in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who announced Onnoghen’s suspension, cited an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to support the decision.
Onnoghen’s trial at the CCT began on January 14, but he did not appear for the trial, till a bench warrant was issued against him by the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar.
A number of allegations, contained in a six-count charge of false assets declaration, were brought against the embattled CJN by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Many lawyers questioned Onnoghen’s suspension from office, saying only the NJC and a two-thirds majority of the Senate could make such recommendation.
Mr Onnoghen’s trial at the CCT also elicited mixed reactions.
Supporters of the trial argued that the CCT was constitutionally empowered to try any public official accused of false assets declaration if such person is not covered by the immunity clause in Section 308 of the Constitution.
However, critics of the trial argue that a Court of Appeal ruling, which has not been upturned by the Supreme Court, had ruled that judges could only be tried for any alleged crime after a review of the allegations by the NJC.
Subsequently, when the NJC noted on April 3 that it reached a decision on Justice Onnoghen’s matter, the CJN notified President Buhari of his decision to vacate office.
