Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), postponed the 88th meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) at the eleventh hour without stating any reason. However, SaharaReporters now understands it was due to fears he could be suspended by the council.

The NJC held its 87th meeting on October 3 and October under the chairmanship of Onnoghen. At the end of the meeting, it recommended the appointment one Supreme Court Justice, three chief judges, three other judges of state high courts and a judge each for the Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal. The 88th meeting was to hold on Tuesday January 15, 2019.

But days earlier, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) had slammed fraudulent asset declaration charges against the CJN at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Afraid that the NJC could suspend him because of this, Onnoghen — despite knowing that NJC members were already in Abuja for that purpose — postponed the meeting.

Notice of the postponement, served by Soji Oye, NJC’s Director of Information, read: “Sir/Ma, I am directed by The Honorable, The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON to inform you that the 88th Meeting of the Council slated for Tuesday 15th, January, 2019 has been postponed to a later date to be communicated to you.

“Any inconvenience this might cause you is highly regretted. Please, accept the assurances of the high regards of His Lordship, Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON.”

A source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that Onnoghen took the step after advice from his lawyers, knowing the antecedent of the council.

“On June 15, 2018, the members of the National Judicial Council had assembled in Abuja to attend the statutory meeting if the body. To the surprise of the members the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen decided to postpone the meeting indefinitely,” he said.

“Even though no reason was adduced for the postponement of the meeting, Justice Onnoghen was not sure that the body would not suspend him until the conclusion of the case of false declaration of assets pending against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The fear of Justice Onnoghen is not unfounded as the National Judicial Council has placed all judges who are on trial on suspension pending the conclusion of criminal cases filed against them as a result of the 2016 arrest of judges for corruption.

“Justice John Okoro of the Supreme Court was recalled from suspension because he was not charged with any offence while Justice Ugwuta has not been recalled from suspension. As Justice Onnoghen would have been interdicted if the National Judicial Council had met he was advised by his lawyers and close confidants in the judiciary to shift the meeting till a later date when the coast would become clear. The Chief Justice followed the advice and directed that the meeting be postponed.”


Onnoghen has shunned the two sittings of the CCT so far, the tribunal setting aside subsisting orders of a Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court (NIC) restraining it from proceeding with the case.

At the last sitting on Tuesday, Justice Danladi Umar, Chairman of the CCT, ruled that the order issued by the two courts directing the tribunal to discontinue the case are not binding on the tribunal.

He declared the orders null and void, holding that the tribunal was established by the constitution and could not be stopped by orders of the two courts.

He therefore ruled that the tribunal would proceed with the case, and he directed the defendant to move his preliminary application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

http://saharareporters.com/2019/01/25/exclusive-how-onnoghen-postponed-njc-meeting-indefinitely-fear-being-suspended

Just buying time, Las Las he will still be humiliated out of office.

- FG will boycott every activity of the NJC.
- Onnoghen will be moving from one court to the other.
- Appellants will stay away from his court.
- Any Judgement with his name will be viewed as tainted.
- More revelations about hid sordid past will be thrown to the press.

- He is already on Security watch.

- Pressure will mount and he will shamelessly bow out.

Why is he panicking

2 can play d game...

Whether he postponed it or not, Buhari should be concern with his intimidating opponent, Alhaji Atiku.

Ikuku Atiku na-eku, obere oge o ga-eburu Buhari tuga Daura. Isee!

A Chief Justice of Nigeria behaving like a typical politician.

Baba don suspend NJC meeting indefinitely to avoid being suspended and getting justice in court.
So much for a Thief Justice of Nigeria

In other climes, people are always in a hurry to clear their names from anything corruption related.
But in Nigeria, we die there for the office.

Zoba

Correct guy Onoghen.

Every other position have been filled by Northerners including our own NNPC.
If Buhari had the power he'd make an Hausa man a Bishop in Catholic church.
Onoghen is going no where, thank you.

How can such a person be Chief Justice?

Una think say una wise. CJN will not leave until it is confirmed that Bugari is not returning.

Justice Walter Onnoghen the CJN is just buying time to see if PDP will win the presidential election.

But if APC wins again mark this day Justice Walter Onnoghen will resign knowing fully well that APC will dominate the NASS and produce senate president and speaker it will be easy for the president to go through NASS and sack him. Instead of being allowed to be sacked he'll tender his resignation letter.

Last last Walter Onnoghen would be ask to go by NJC to redeem the image of the judiciary, NJC is already polarised, sitting by NJC to take decision on judicial matter will suffer, like appointment of new judges, appointment of SANs and other related decisions to make judiciary efficient will suffer set back.

Before June 20th if justice Walter Onnoghen doesn't mend fences with FG he would be sacked or resign.

I tire for this country, everyone is just using their power to manipulate things in their favour and the masses are the victims of this rubbish

There will be no peace of mind for corrupt persons in the New Nigeria PMB is leading us into.

No packaging at all.

What becomes the fate of a nation when her judicial circuit has a questionable integrity..

cock and bull story.Is there any petition against the CJN at the NJC?

this war is between the executive and the judiciary.
shouldn't you guys be worried.

kenodrill:
What becomes the fate of a nation when her judicial circuit has a questionable integrity..

who's asking the questions.

SouthEastFacts:
Una think say una wise. CJN will not leave until it is confirmed that Bugari is not returning.

He's just postponing the inevitable...Buhari will return, that's not even up for debate... we all sabi truth for our respective minds, it's acceptance people are struggling with.

Black people don't leave with pride intact, We prefer to be disgraced out of office... Wike & PDP will push Onnoghen pass landing point inside gutter...

You can bookmark this..

modath:


He's just postponing the inevitable...Buhari will return, that's not even up for debate... we all sabi truth for our respective minds, it's acceptance people are struggling with.

Black people don't leave with pride intact, We prefer to be disgraced out of office... Wike & PDP will push Onnoghen pass landing point inside gutter...

You can bookmark this..

Lol Buhari will return indeed.APC working through their online medium making noise as usual.Is there any pending petition against the CJN at the NJC?

Walter Onnoggen will retire in office as CJN.You can count on that.

modath:


He's just postponing the inevitable...Buhari will return, that's not even up for debate... we all sabi truth for our respective minds, it's acceptance people are struggling with.

Black people don't leave with pride intact, We prefer to be disgraced out of office... Wike & PDP will push Onnoghen pass landing point inside gutter...

You can bookmark this..

Go and read Section 3(d) of the CCB Act.

Even if Buhari wins, he can't be President beyond 29th May.

PaChukwudi44:

Lol Buhari will return indeed.APC working through their online medium making noise as usual.Is there any pending petition against the CJN at the NJC?

Walter Onnoggen will retire in office as CJN.You can count on that.

Granpa 49, me nor dey argue ooo, shebi Febuhar is mere days away nah? Just cool down and watch....

before cjn will be humilated, he will bring down a lot of politicians especially those in apc.

modath:


Granpa 49, me nor dey argue ooo, shebi Febuhar is mere days away nah? Just cool down and watch....

OK we are watching.E go do you like film.

Since the hunter (The presidency ) learned to shoot without missing, eneke nti oba (the CJN) had also learned to fly without perching.

This report is beer palour journalism at best.Speculations upon speculations.Even if the NJC meets there is no basis to suspend the CJN.His actions are backed by section 3(d) of the CCB act.The CCB has no case against him.

Pope of Nigeria
www.nairaland.com/attachments/8222816_screenshot20181123105739_pngcb8c849a98dbcc2a166a3cc4ca38c0dd

EdoBoyJazzie:
If Buhari had the power he'd make an Hausa man a Bishop in Catholic church.

SouthEastFacts:

Go and read Section 3(d) of the CCB Act.

Even if Buhari wins, he can't be President beyond 29th May.

According to Ipob bureau of statistics..

modath:

According to Ipob bureau of statistics..

Save your tears. You will need Failbuhari.