JUST IN: NJC sets up panel on Onnoghen, Acting CJN Muhammad

* NJC constitutes Preliminary Complaints Assessment
Committee under Regulation 17.
* To reconvene on Wednesday, 13th February,
2019.
* Forwards new petition by The EFCC to Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N.
Onnoghen, GCON for response within seven (7)
days.

The National Judicial Council says it has set up a preliminary
complaints assessment committee to review the responses given to it
by the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, and the
Supreme Court Justice Ibrahim Muhammad who is acting in his
stead.

Mr Onnoghen is accused of failing to fully declare his assets,
while Mr Muhammad is facing allegations of misconduct in allowing
himself to be sworn in as a replacement for Mr Onnoghen, whose
suspension by President Buhari critics say violated the
constitution.

Both men are being investigated by the NJC as required by the
law.

The council sat on Monday and was expected to give its verdict
after hearing the responses of the two accused judges. Both had
been given seven days to respond to the allegations against
them.

A spokesperson for the NJC, Soji Oye, said in a statement Monday
that the NJC reconvened and resolved to constitute into the
Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee in accordance with
Regulation 17 of the National Judicial Council Judicial Discipline
Regulations, 2017.

The committee is to report its finding to the council on
February 13 when it will reconvene.

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,” Mr Oje said.

“Council reaffirmed its confidence in Hon. Mr. Justice Umaru
Abdullahi, CON and continues under his Interim Chairmanship.”

Petitions
The petition against Mr Onnoghen was written by members of a group,
Resource Centre For Civil Education, while the allegation against
Mr Muhammad was written by a former Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa
Agbakoba, and another group, Centre for Justice and Peace
Initiative.

Mr Onnoghen was suspended on January 25, 11 days after his trial
on alleged false asset charge began at the Code of Conduct Tribunal
on January 14.

If both officers are found liable by the council after today’s
meeting, the consequence may include the appointment of a new CJN
for the country.