1.A short while ago, I was served with an Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal issued on Wednesday 23rd January 2019, directing the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen from office pending final determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and several other fora relating to his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.



2. The nation has been gripped by the tragic realities of no less a personality than the Chief Justice of Nigeria himself becoming the accused person in a corruption trial since details of the petition against him by a Civil Society Organization first became public about a fortnight ago.



3. Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law.



4. Perhaps more worrisome is the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s own written admission to the charges that he indeed failed to follow the spirit and letter of the law in declaring his assets, citing ’’mistake’’ and ’’forgetfulness’’ which are totally unknown to our laws as defences in the circumstances of his case.



5. One expected that with his moral authority so wounded, by these serious charges of corruption, more so by his own written admission, Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen would have acted swiftly to spare our Judicial Arm further disrepute by removing himself from superintending over it while his trial lasted.
6. Unfortunately, he has not done so. Instead, the nation has been treated to the sordid spectacle of a judicial game of wits in which the Chief Justice of Nigeria and his legal team have made nonsense of the efforts of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to hear the allegation on merit and conclude the trial as quickly as possible considering the nature of the times in which we live.



7. Whether deliberately or inadvertently, we have all seen the full weight of the Chief Justice of Nigeria descend on the tender head of one of the organs of justice under his control. There is simply no way the officers of that court, from the Chairman to the bailiffs, can pretend to be unaffected by the influence of the leader of the Judiciary.



8. Not only the trial court, but others have been put on the spot. Practically every other day since his trial commenced, the nation has witnessed various courts granting orders and counter-orders in favour of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, all of them characterised by an unholy alacrity between the time of filing, hearing and delivery of judgment in same.



9. The real effect has been a stalling of the trial of Justice Onnoghen, helped along by lawyers who insist that these orders, whether right or wrong are technically valid, and must be obeyed till an appellate Court says otherwise. No doubt that it is the proper interpretation, but is it right disposition for our nation?.



10. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy and no one must be, or be seen to be, above the law. Unfortunately, the drama around the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria has challenged that pillar of justice in the perception of the ordinary man on the street. For it is certain that no ordinary Nigerian can get the swift and special treatment Justice Onnoghen has enjoyed from his subordinates and privies in our Judicature.


11. In the midst of all these distracting events, the essential question of whether the accused CJN actually has a case to answer has been lost in the squabble over the form and nature of his trial. This should not be so.

12. If Justice cannot be done and clearly seen to be done, society itself is at risk of the most unimaginable chaos. As a Government, we cannot stand by wailing and wringing our hands helplessly but give our full backing and support to those brave elements within the Judiciary who act forthrightly, irrespective of who is involved.

13. As you are all aware, the fight against corruption is one of the tripod of policies promised to Nigerians by this administration. Needless to say that it is an existential Policy which must be given adequate attention and commitment by all the three arms of government. The efforts of the Executive will amount to nothing without the cooperation of the Legislature and especially the Judiciary.

14. It is no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate in which the Supreme Court of Nigeria under the oversight of Justice Walter Onnoghen has serially set free, persons accused of the most dire acts of corruption, often on mere technicalities, and after quite a number of them have been convicted by the trial and appellate courts.

15. Since there is nothing the Executive Arm can do after the apex court of the land has spoken on any matter, several of these individuals walk free among us today, enjoying what are clearly the proceeds of the corruption which for so long has defeated the efforts of this nation to develop and prosper.

16. It is against this background that I have received the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal directing me to suspend the Chief Justice pending final determination of the cases against him. It also explains why I am not only complying immediately, but with some degree of relief for the battered sensibilities of ordinary Nigerians whose patience must have become severely over-taxed by these anomalies.

17. In line with this administration’s avowed respect for the Rule of Law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.

18. Accordingly, I hereby suspend the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, GCON as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

19. In further compliance with the same Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I hereby invite Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC, being the next most Senior Justice in the Supreme Court, to come forward to take the Judicial Oath as Chief Justice of Nigeria in an Acting Capacity.

20. Fellow Nigerians, we can only stand a chance to win the fight against Corruption, and position our dear nation for accelerated development when we stand together to contend against it.

Thank you and may God bless our country.

yet he could not find one reason to investigate Ganduje ... any which way Onnoghen is still the CJN

Blame the useless constitution and the corrupt people that drafted immunity clause.

SalamRushdie:
yet he could not find one reason to investigate Ganduje ... any which way Onnoghen is still the CJN

Buhari is not wise

I used to think old age comes with wisdom

SalamRushdie:
yet he could not find one reason to investigate Ganduje ... any which way Onnoghen is still the CJN

....immunity

Cajal:
....immunity

Buhari said the tapes were fake and he didn't know the technology used to make them

A nice move Sir, Pmb till 2023

Saraki has abandoned his responsibilities as a Senate president to rule over the CJN's case, Giving the dullard a veto power to nix a free and credible election by swearing in his cabal approved northerner, since he doesn't trust Southerners..

I can see that these were writings of the cabals. A man who doesn't read news paper have no business writing such a flawless statement

madridguy:
Fellow Nigerians, we can only stand a chance to win the fight against Corruption, and position our dear nation for accelerated development when we stand together to contend against it.

thunder fire you with your stupid corruption. What corruption is Buhari fighting?

Nigeria is,more, corrupt now than ever.

Baba, there's nothing you can say that will convince/soften the mind of these people due to the hatred they have for you..but we true Nigerians are behind you sir...continue your good work...February victory is certain.....and mind you, if you like quote me from now till next year i won't reply you cos I'm way over that

madridguy:
Blame the useless constitution and the corrupt people that drafted immunity clause.

But he didn't follow the Constitution in this case. Why is this an exception?

How about your buhari himself? Did he step down (like Kemi did) when he was accused of lying about his nonexistent certificate; and was taken to court for prosecution?

How about the Chairman of the CCT himself? Did Buhari suspend him when he was indicted by the EFCC for bribery and corruption?

How about the acting chairman of the EFCC? Did your god buhari suspend him when he was indicted by the DSS for corruption and was rejected twice by the senate?


Why do you buhari supporters keep behaving like Id.iats?

madridguy:
Blame the useless constitution and the corrupt people that drafted immunity clause.

KratosCorp:
How about your buhari himself? Did he step down (like Kemi did) when he was accused of lying about his nonexistent certificate; and was taken to court for prosecution?

How about the Chairman of the CCT himself? Did Buhari suspend him when he was indicted by the EFCC for bribery and corruption?

How about the acting chairman of the EFCC? Did your god buhari suspend him when he was indicted by the DSS for corruption and was rejected twice by the senate?


Why do you buhari supporters keep behaving like Id.iats?

Can you be sensible sometimes ? How dare you compare certificates with that Onnoghen’s case

Im not an APC supporter but doesn’t stop me from facing the right principles

We are not even talking about forgery here but such shameful financial offenses that in saner climes this man ought to have resigned on his own

see how this thing was highlighted even the dumbest of the dumb posters know these facts are clear , thats why one bastris is relating this with ganduje


FYI omonegen the thief is one of the reasons why ganduje hasnt been prosecuted

please at least on a weekend like this, try to use your sense

Buhari didnt comment on ganduje's video let alone saying its fake or so


Instead Mr Buhari said Mr Ganduje’s matter has become a subject of judicial and legislative proceedings, and speaking about it on air could be subjudice


Eyin alayee baje gbogbo

SalamRushdie:


Buhari said the tapes were fake and he didn't know the technology used to make them

HtwoOw:
please at least on a weekend like this, try to use your sense

Buhari didnt comment on ganduje's video let alone saying its fake or so


Instead Mr Buhari said Mr Ganduje’s matter has become a subject of judicial and legislative proceedings, and speaking about it on air could be subjudice


Eyin alayee baje gbogbo

will you Shut up !!!! we all saw him on the candidates programme saying " I don't know the type of technology used to make the tape " which was clearly an attempt to suggest the tapes were doctored!!!!

since when did Buhari start respecting legislative and Judicial proceeding when he has never respected a single court order he doenst want to respect ....Buhari is nothing but a criminal bigot and thief who is never fair in all his dealings

I just posted an unedited transcript of that interview , your brain is definitely out of commission

SalamRushdie:


will you Shut up !!!! we all saw him on the candidates programme saying " I don't know the type of technology used to make the tape " which was clearly an attempt to suggest the tapes were doctored!!!!

since when did Buhari start respecting legislative and Judicial proceeding when he has never respected a single court order he doenst want to respect ....Buhari is nothing but a criminal bigot and thief who is never fair in all his dealings

HtwoOw:
I just posted an unedited transcript of that interview , your brain is definitely out of commission

unedited transcript of video I am watching ? you must be high if you think you an change the words of the Dullard when there is video eveidence

14. It is no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate in which the Supreme Court of Nigeria under the oversight of Justice Walter Onnoghen has serially set free, persons accused of the most dire acts of corruption, often on mere technicalities, and after quite a number of them have been convicted by the trial and appellate courts.

15. Since there is nothing the Executive Arm can do after the apex court of the land has spoken on any matter, several of these individuals walk free among us today, enjoying what are clearly the proceeds of the corruption which for so long has defeated the efforts of this nation to develop and prosper.

16. It is against this background that I have received the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal directing me to suspend the Chief Justice pending final determination of the cases against him. It also explains why I am not only complying immediately, but with some degree of relief for the battered sensibilities of ordinary Nigerians whose patience must have become severely over-taxed by these anomalies.

17. In line with this administration’s avowed respect for the Rule of Law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.

18. Accordingly, I hereby suspend the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, GCON as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

19. In further compliance with the same Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I hereby invite Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC, being the next most Senior Justice in the Supreme Court, to come forward to take the Judicial Oath as Chief Justice of Nigeria in an Acting Capacity.

20. Fellow Nigerians, we can only stand a chance to win the fight against Corruption, and position our dear nation for accelerated development when we stand together to contend against it.

You are very dumb.

Go and check what perjury is.

When Brutai's secret foreign properties were reported, did your god summon him?

Someone lied about the minimum certificate required for the position he's occupying and you did not see that as a grand corruption? No wonder you are the way you are.

WebSurfer:



Can you be sensible sometimes ? How dare you compare certificates with that Onnoghen’s case

Im not an APC supporter but doesn’t stop me from facing the right principles

We are not even talking about forgery here but such shameful financial offenses that in saner climes this man ought to have resigned on his own

KratosCorp:
You are very dumb.

Go and check what perjury is.

When Brutai's secret foreign properties were reported, did your god summon him?

Someone lied about the minimum certificate required for the position he's occupying and you did not see that as a grand corruption? No wonder you are the way you are.

As you don’t have enough sense to tell you you can’t compare a maggi thief and an Armed robber, wait for me to tell you


Useless people

NothingDoMe:
But he didn't follow the Constitution in this case. Why is this an exception?

tell me what the constitution says