By: Ikenna Oluka
A new twist has emerged on what could have caused the sudden declaration of intent to prosecute the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, asking him to immediately vacate his exalted office as Head of the judiciary over alleged sundry asset declaration issues.
Recall, the Federal Government, in a move to force Justice Onnoghen out of office, the Federal Government will today Monday January 14, 2019 arraigned the CJN before the Justice Danladi Yakubu led- Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja on charges of failures to declare his assets as required by law and for operating Bank Domiciliary Foreign Currency Accounts.
The charge sighted against Justice Onnoghen has already being filed and served on him last Friday at his official residence in Abuja preparatory for his appearance at the tribunal.
The Federal Government, among others, is accusing Nigeria’s Head of the Judiciary of refusal to declare his assets in breach of the provision of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. He is also being accused of maintaining Domiciliary foreign currencies account which comprised Dollars Account, Pound Sterling Account and Euro Account which are alleged to be contrary to relevant laws, especially for public office holders.
But, a source close to the Presidency said that the move is an offshot of the Battle for Enugu West Senatorial Zone which started long ago.
According to source, this will enable the APC-led government to prepare the ground for any eventualities in the forthcoming elections, especially in the South East and Enugu West Senatorial District in particular, where the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu is the notable force.
“Nigerians must rise against the abuse of power for personal gains”, our source said.
“Interesting to note that the petitioner against CJN Onnoghen, Dennis Aghanya, was former CPC National Publicity Secretary and presently a media aide to Barr. Juliet Ibekaku.
“Barr. Ibekaku is the APC senatorial candidate seeking to replace Senator Ekwerenmadu and she is presently a presidential aide on justice reforms to PMB. So, this is a clandestine move to oust some political forces out of the way. They know that the CJN can’t be bought. The asset declaration they are pointing out, the CJN has come out to say he is not guilty and even if he will face prosecution it has to start from the NJC (National Judicial Council).
“Also, just last night, the Presidency came out to say that President Buhari is not aware of the proposed prosecution. So, so sanctioned it to go ahead?”, he queried.
Justice Onnoghen whose appointment suffered unprecedented delay by President Muhammadu Buhari over undisclosed issues may be the first CJN in Nigeria to be arraigned for criminal charges by the Federal Government.
Apart from putting the Chief Justice in the dock today, a motion on notice is to be filed against him praying the tribunal to order him to vacate office and recuse himself from office so as to prevent alleged interference in his arraignment and trial.