FG moves to freeze CJN Onnoghen’s bank accounts

By: Oliseama Okwucukwu

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has directed the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to freeze the accounts of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

In the letter dated January 14, 2019 and signed by Abiodun Aikomo Esq on behalf of the AGF, titled: “Re: Request for Freezing of Bank Accounts Subject to Investigation and Prosecution Pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No 6 of 5th July, 2018 on the Preservation of Assets Connected with Corruption.”

The letter further read: “I am directed by Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to request that you, pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order No 6 of 2018, forthwith restrict normal banking operations on certain accounts belonging to Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

The bank accounts listed are:

Account: 5001062686 (Euro) Standard Chartered Bank (SCB);

Account No: 5001062679 (Pound Sterling)  – SCB;

Account No: 00010626SD (Dollar) – SCB;

Account No: 0001062667 (Naira) – SCB and

Account No: 5000162693 (Naira).