Chukwuemeka Njoku, Abuja.
Embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen has refutted news making the round that he has resigned his position as the head of Nigeria’s judiciary.
Justice Onnoghen said the report is being orchestrated by mischief makers and rumour mongers, who would stop at nothing to blackmail and cast aspersions on his personality and office.
Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant (Media) Bassey Awassam, on Friday, the CJN categorically dismissed such insinuation, insisting that he has not resigned. “There’s absolutely no truth in the rumours making the round that the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, has resigned his office.
“It is fake news! The Hon CJN was in the office all through yesterday (Thursday) and sat in court.
“As part of his duties, the Hon CJN will be swearing in members of the 2019 National Assembly, Governorship & State Assembly Election Petition Tribunals on Saturday 26th January 2019” Awassam stated.
The CJN is having a running battle with the Federal Government over allegation of false assets declaration and money laundering.
Consequently, the Code of Conduct Bureau on behalf of the Federal Government, had to institute a 6-count charge against Justice Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
Apart from filing of the charge dated January 11, the Federal Government through its counsel, Aliyu Umar SAN, equally filed a motion asking the Justice Danladi Umar led 3-man CCT panel to make an order directing Onnoghen to resign office as the CJN, to enable him face trial and clear his name of all the allegations levelled against him.
However, on January 14, a day scheduled for arraignment, the CJN shunned the tribunal.
On the 22nd of January, again the CJN refused to appear at the CCT. Since January 14, the CJN through his team of lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun SAN, leading over 50 SANs has waged a proactive legal war against the FG in a bid to stop his planned forceful removal office. More so, four courts of competent jurisdictions have made orders restraining the Federal Government from proceeding with Onnoghen’s trial pending the determination of suits challenging his arraignment.
The latest restraining order was made on Thursday, January 24, by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which ordered the FG not to take any steps or action pending it’s ruling on January 30, on an appeal filed by Onnoghen.
