EXCLUSIVE: What CJN Onnoghen told CCB over asset declaration
January 12, 2019Evelyn Okakwu
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen
PREMIUM TIMES has obtained details of a statement given by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, to the Code of Conduct Bureau which is accusing him of false asset declaration.

In one note seen by this newspaper, Mr Onnoghen said he “forgot to update his asset declaration, after the expiration of his 2005 declaration”.

Mr Onnoghen also explained that he believed that the form SCN 000015 filed in December 2016 after he emerged acting CJN would cover for the period after his confirmation as CJN.

The case against Mr Onnoghen came after a group, the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative, sent a petition against him alleging wrongdoing in his asset declaration.

The group said the CJN, Nigeria’s most senior judicial officer, maintained illegal accounts containing foreign currencies and did not declare them.

The group’s head, Denis Aghanya, is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress and a former publicity secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change.

The group said, its petition was brought “bearing in mind the imminence of the 2019 elections and the overwhelming role of the judiciary both before and after the election.”

A statement by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Saturday, said Mr Onnoghen would be arraigned for alleged false asset charge on Monday — seven days after the petition was brought.

Some lawyers have alleged the trial is politically motivated.

Sebastian Hon, a senior advocate of Nigeria, told PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday it is “more political than it is honest”.




“While I know that the Chief Justice of Nigeria does not enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution, I see this move by the Federal Government as dangerously political and tendentious,” he said.

“Suddenly, we woke to see a petition leaked to the informal or social media, allegedly received by the Code of Conduct on 9th January, 2019. Suddenly, we are told charges have been filed against the CJN. Why this supersonic rush?”

In his response to the queries raised by the CCB, Mr Onnoghen wrote as follows:

“My asset declaration form numbers SCN 00014 and SCN 00005 were declared on the same day, 14/12/2016 because I forgot to make a declaration of my assets after the expiration of my 2005 declaration in 2009. Following my appointment as acting CJN in November, 2016, the need to declare my assets anew made me to realize the mistake.

“I then did the declaration to cover the period in default. I did not include my standard charted bank account in SCN 000014 because I believed they were not opened.

“I did not make a fresh declaration of asset after my substantive appointment as CJN because I was under the impression that my SCN 000015 was to cover that period of four years which includes my term as CJN,” Mr Onnoghen said in his statement dated January 11.

Mr Onnoghen was first appointed acting CJN on November 10, 2017 following the retirement of the former CJN, Mahmoud Mohammed.

His appointment as acting CJN came amidst criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to forward his name to the Senate for confirmation as the most senior judge.

On February 8, 2017 Vice President Yemi Osinbajo returned Mr Onnoghen’s name for confirmation to the Senate on March 1.

Mr Onnoghen was subsequently sworn in to office as Nigeria’s 17th CJN on March 8, 2017.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/305421-exclusive-what-cjn-onnoghen-told-ccb-over-asset-declaration.html

I'm disappointed. How could he forget such thing as important as asset declaration?
Ignorance isn't an excuse joor and not even from someone like him.

He has obviously played into the hands of those who were reluctant in making him the CJN and should face the music. No sentiments!

The FG should allow the law take it course and not resort into self help.

He forgot to declare his asset unfortunately just like how the former minister of finance was not aware that she was carrying fake NYSC certificate and she resigned honorably. The CJN two should do same.

I believe the judiciary have its way of handling its matters instead of the executive embarrassing them, its really not good

Biodun556:
He forgot to declare his asset unfortunately just like how the former minister of finance was not aware that she was carrying fake NYSC certificate and she resigned honorably. The CJN two should do same.

What happened to the loads of petition against oshiomole,Amaechi,babachair, I thought Maina has loads of corruption cases, I thought obanikoro is supposed to be standing trial,I thought senator wamako,akpabio,uzodinma and co should be standing trial.
Please next time you tell me Buhari is not corrupt just go to the market square and argue with them.
Note of warning this country belongs to all of us,we cant allow one pseudodemocratic and unrepentant autocrat hold us hostage,cases should be treated turn by turn,treat the cases of your friends first before you start going outside,that's what integrity is Nigeria

GavelSlam:
Go and clear yourself.

That he will do in accordance with section 3(d) of the CCB act.


Section 3(d) of the CCB Act states that: “The functions of the Bureau shall be ….to receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of this Act and where the Bureau considers it necessary to do so, refer such complaints to the Code of Conduct Tribunal established by Section 20 of this Act in accordance with Section 20 to 25 of this Act.

“Provided that where the person concerned makes a written admission of such breach or non-compliance, no reference to the Tribunal shall be necessary.

Since it is more of politics than honesty this rigging plan will not see the light of the day.

He forgot to declare his standard chartered bank account. Not a very good excuse if you ask me. How can the CJN forget a domicilliary account with foreign currency? How?

seunmsg:
He forgot to declare his standard chartered bank account. Not a very good excuse if you ask me.

He is covered by section 3(d) of the CCB act.

you sure say you forget or na you just no wan declare am, anyway it will still die a natural death like his brothers dem. Thief.nubu and ThiefRAKI.

They have the INEC and Police in their pocket

They are worried about an independent judiciary

PaChukwudi44:

He is covered by section 3(d) of the CCB act.

Defender of corruption, let the CCT decide.

seunmsg:


Defender of corruption, let the CCT decide.

saraki's case still fresh in our minds. Cut lost.

seunmsg:
He forgot to declare his standard chartered bank account. Not a very good excuse if you ask me. How can the CJN forget a domicilliary account with foreign currency? How?

Account with a combined balance of about $700, 000 Dollars?

The man may just be an empty brain.... ordinary lies, he cant put together

The job was very well arranged and executed buh wat if after all these and finally buari didn't win the election

Drama upon drama in Nigeria.

CilicMarin:


You see the reason, I advised earlier for caution...The FG had been waiting for the opportunity...the man is a gonner..Even his explanation is not tenable in law let alone serving as a defence in law court.

Walter Onnoghen Nyesom Wike Is A Gonner

The lie no gel at all.

No wonder, this man hurriedly cleared Saraki of wrong doing when his cct judgement was brought to the Supreme Court because he knew he has a similar case.

Mmmmmh Oga CJN you mean you actually forgot......


This should serve as a lesson to everyone. Little things matters alot. Don't take anything for granted cos you don't know who is monitoring....

This thinking by the CJN is not tenable in law except if
Section 3(d) of the CCB act applies.Meanwhile one having a domiciliary foreign currency account does not automatically translates to owing a foreign account.

“While I know that the Chief Justice of Nigeria does not enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution, I see this move by the Federal Government as dangerously political and tendentious................Suddenly, we are told charges have been filed against the CJN. Why this supersonic rush?”

Little things matters alot

They are all rogues in APC

He forgot to update his bla bla bla .
Ignorance is not an excuse. You’re guilty

If the constitution says a CJN must declare his assets, why should the CJN (the chief custodian and interpreter of the law) not declare his assets?... How can someone in the position of the CJN claim to 'forget' such a thing?

Finally, if the allegations of PDP are true that the apc govt wants to simply push Onnoghen out, there's nothing surprising or new or undemocratic about that. Politics has always been a GAME, a DIRTY GAME. When involved in politics at any level, one must learn to avoid skeletons at all costs. Or if there must be skeletons in the closet, the entire closet should be buried very deeply. Or else, your enemies who are aware of your flaws will keep silent and wait until an appointed time such as this to unleash their missiles.

Unfortunately, Nigerians are always emotional when the dirtiness of the game doesnt favour their camp. It's only in Nigeria that a thief would be caught red handed and his only defense is that he's being caught because of politics and self acclaimed 'democracy defenders' begin to shout 'tyrant'. Why on earth would a CJN (who knows he's not favoured by the fulani-northern cabal) be this careless?

When is buhari providing his waec certificate?

You forgot?

You of all persons should know that ignorance and forgetfulness is no excuse under the law..