Chukwuemeka Njoku, Abuja
The fate of suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, and acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad is still hanging following the inability of the National Judicial Council to decide on the petitions against the two judicial officers. The NJC had reconvened on Monday in an emergency meeting to consider the responses of Justice Onnoghen and Justice Muhammad, to the three petitions written against them.However, after deliberations, members resolved to constitute into a 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.
Director of Information, NJC, Soji Oye confirmed in a statement that the council will reconvene on Wednesday, 13th February, 2019, for further deliberation on the issue.
The NJC spokesperson added that “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.
Meanwhile, the NJC also reaffirmed its confidence in Justice Umaru Abdullahi’s interim headship of the apex judicial body.
