At last NJC recommends compulsory retirement for Onnoghen, exonerates Tanko Mohammed

After weeks of tension and anxiety, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended compulsory retirement for the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, NJC,  Justice Walter Onnoghen.

NJC however, exonerated   the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammad,  saying that he committed no offense in making himself available to be sworn in by the President as Onnoghen’s replacement in acting capacity.

This according to findings by  Wawa News Global was contained in the report of the NJC sent to President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday “for necessary action”.

 While Onnoghen is to be retired over alleged gross misconduct, the President was advised to confirm  Mohammed as the substantive CJN.

Justice Onnoghen who is currently standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja, over allegations of false assets declaration, had a petition written against him to the NJC by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordering alleged corruption.

While Mohammad’s petitioners, Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and another civil society group are alleging inappropriate conduct on the part of the Acting CJN on the ground that he (Mohammad) presented him to President Buhari to be sworn-in as head of the nation’s judiciary following Onnoghen’s suspension from the Bench.

Rising from a meeting on Wednesday, the NJC declined to disclose the outcome of its decisions on the duo of Mohammad and Onnoghen after its five-member panel sat over the petitions.

A press release that was pushed out by the council’s Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, said: “Council reached a decision on the petitions written by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others and conveyed its decision to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

“Council also resolved that, by the nature of the decision reached, it would be inappropriate to publicise it before conveying it to Mr. President.

“Council decided that the allegations relating to assets declaration that were levelled against Hon. Mr. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON were subjudice and therefore abstained from considering them.”