AGF sends criminal allegations against Onnoghen to NJC

Ahead of the emergency meeting of the National Judicial Council
(NJC) on Tuesday, the office of the attorney-general of the
federation (AGF) has sent a list of criminal allegations against
Water Onnoghen to the body.

Insiders at the ministry of justice informed TheCable, Not
TheNigerialawyer that the bundle contains a number of damaging
allegations against the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), including
bank statements and title deeds of properties said to have been
traced to him.

The figures involved are said to be in billions of naira and
several millions of dollars — as well as dozens of houses.

“The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) did not file these criminal
allegations against the CJN at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)
because it is a separate issue from non-declaration of assets,” a
senior official of the ministry told TheCable.

“There have been questions about the legality of Onnoghen’s
suspension by the president, but section 11 of the interpretations
act states clearly that he who has the power to appoint also has
the power to discipline. We are convinced the president acted
within the laws of the land.

“Nevertheless, the more serious criminal allegations have now
been fully investigated. These allegations point to unexplained
wealth. The entire bundle has been sent to the NJC so that the body
can do its job and allow Onnoghen to face criminal prosecution.

That is a completely different matter from the case of
non-declaration of assets before the CCT.”