SKEWED RECOMMENDATION OF NJC ON RETIREMENT OF WALTER ONNOGHEN AND REINSTATEMENT OF TANKO MUHAMMAD AS SUBSTANTIVE CJN: A SERIOUS CONCERN FOR NIGERIANS
It is no longer news to seeming #Nigerians that Justice Walter #Onnoghen has been on suspension for a while now and his replacement by a substantive #CJN, #TankoMuhammad owing to the allegation of corruption that he has $1.7 million (₦500 million) in his account.
It is very disgraceful to note that the NJC has written a recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari that Justice Walter Onnoghen should be retired with full benefits while Tanko Muhammad should be reinstated as the substantive Chief Justice of #Nigeria.
The simple question is what crime did Justice Walter Onnoghen commit? If the crime is that he has about ₦500 million naira in his account, what efforts have been made to find out what other politicians in the ruling class have in their accounts? This amount will be nothing to compare with if the actual figures in the account of the likes of #AdamsOshiomole, #BossMustaphar, #MamanDaura, #ChibuikeAmaechi, #BabatundeFashiola, #OrjiUzorKalu even the president to mention but a few is unfolded. This is an act of cowardice. Does it mean that the entire Judiciary has been bought over by this current administration? What is the Nigerian Bar Association doing?
Things have fallen apart. How on earth should a person that specializes in Sharia law who did not attend law school be confirmed as a substantive CJN? What a country we have found ourselves in? What contributions will he have to make if cases on International law, land dispute, etc arises? Do they want to plunge this country into anarchy? What hope will the common man have to ascertain justice from the law court that is chaired by a square peg in a round hole? This is very unfortunate.
The Nigerian Judicial Commission and the Nigerian Bar Association are therefore called to order. In case they have forgotten, it is good to remind them that they are the last hope of the common man. The world is watching, they have by this recommendation unfolded their dying hatred for justice to prevail in #Nigeria. What will be the hope of Nigerians who feel aggrieved and want to go to court for justice? What hope will they still repose on the court? This question is left for you and I to answer.
The time to act is now. The #NJC should as a matter of urgency retract that recommendation and do what is right.
The onus lies on them to restore dying hope of the common man on the judiciary.
Legal Aid Council, Nigeria
Nigerian Bar Association
Nigerian Bar Association
Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch- Unity Bar
Babatunde Raji Fashola
Orji Uzor Kalu
Hon. Min. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
National Belt
The Sun Nigeria
National Daily Newspaper
Pa Ikhide
Femi Fani-Kayode
CNN Africa
BBC News
United Nations Human Rights
United Nations
African Union
BBC News Africa
Oxford International Law
