As the controversy over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari festers, the jurist appointed in acting capacity to replace him, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, is facing a serious backlash among his colleagues at the Supreme Court, Sunday Tribune has learnt.

Apart from shunning the weekend inauguration of election petition panels by Tanko, it was learnt that nearly all the justices of the apex court, had taken a firm position not to help in conferring legitimacy on the process that brought in Tanko, though many of them were said not to have any personal animosity towards him.

“A mutiny is brewing here (Supreme Court), because those people you see here (justices of the court), are independent-minded and cannot be coerced into doing what they don’t believe in,” a highly-placed source in the court disclosed last night.

Only a justice of the court, Justice Sidi Bage, was at the weekend ceremony despite invite being reportedly made available to all the justices of the court.

“Though they were aware and available in Abuja, they simply refused to turn up. That is how it may remain until the original CJN returns. If it were the man they recognised as the legal CJN, all of them would have turned up at the inauguration,” the source who works closely with the apex court told Sunday Tribune.

Buhari is alleged to have removed Onnoghen to stop him from taking charge of the inauguration of the tribunals, a ceremony which became Tanko’s first official assignment.


Tanko had always challenged Onnoghen over seniority, though the suspended CJN took oath before him at the apex court.

His argument was predicated on the assumption that since he got to the Bench ahead of Onnoghen, he should remain his senior, notwithstanding who got to the apex court first.

Onnoghen’s predecessor-in-office, Justice Muhammadu Mahmud, had insisted on the recognition of Onnoghen as being senior to Tanko.

When Onnoghen assumed office, peace overtures were repeatedly made to Tanko.



The acting CJN is said not to be too popular among his colleagues due to the way he had consistently treated Onnoghen and his quick acceptance of the latter’s position is perceived at the apex court as a coup against the leadership of the court, the Sunday Tribune source explained.

It was further learnt the class action being planned against his controversial ascension to the top-most job, may include outright rejection of fresh appeals allocated by Tanko.

Panels appointed by him to sit on appeals, are also likely to reject sitting, though the court, according to an insider, will continue to determine running cases already allocated by Onnoghen.

The source was confident the storm would be over in a week and Onnoghen would be restored due to the alleged illegality of the entire process leading to the suspension of the CJN.

Checks at the National Judicial Council (NJC) showed that there was no scheduled official meeting, but unofficial meetings were reportedly on to resolve the logjam.

Going by precedents regarding crises in Rivers and Abia states judicial divisions, NJC should suspend and possibly fire Tanko for accepting the acting appointment without the involvement of the council as prescribed by the law.

Under Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar’s chairmanship of the council, Justice Peter Agumagu of Rivers State Judiciary was suspended indefinitely and eventually compulsorily retired for accepting acting Chief Judge appointment from former Governor Rotimi Amaechi without the recommendation of the council.

The difference in Tanko’s case is that he automatically heads the council as the acting CJN.

New questions are now also being raised concerning the functions of the Code of Conduct Bureau, which recommended Onnoghen to the tribunal for prosecution for alleged failure to declare asset and now deciding to update the declaration.

In the Act setting up the bureau, the function provisions as listed in section 3 showed that the president must have been misled in firing the CJN.

The provision reads; the functions of the Bureau shall be to;

(a) receive assets declarations by public officers in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

(b) examine the assets declaration and ensure that they comply with the requirements of this Act and of the law for the time being in force.

(c) take and retain custody of such assets declarations and

(d) 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 the provisions of sections 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”.

Onnoghen had admitted, in writing, not to have declared his assets up to date and decided to bring it up to date when he was appointed the CJN.

By the provisions of the Act, he should not have been referred to the Tribunal for trial, a Supreme Court source argued.

https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/186747/

It won't hold

The judges should think twice except if they don't have any skeleton in their cupboards ( which I doubt).

They planned to install Atiku via the Supreme Court after Atiku must have lost. They planned to use technical grounds and will then say, ok the person that came second should be sworn in.

#Jagaban was looking them like BAT , All plan destroyed with one word, ( suspend )��

They will accept him and work with him, whether they like it or not grandparent and children of corrupt ancestors

Buhari would be resisted.

helinues:
The judges should think twice except if they don't have any skeleton in their cupboards ( which I doubt).

What made me believe that zombies are walking dead people is that everyone against the tyranny of Buhari is painted to be corrupt...

Buhari is a failure whose only achievement in office is to gallivant round the world and take pictures...

He knows the surest way to remain in power is to rig the election... With judiciary now in his pocket..
Your guess is as good as mine...

Ok. Let's see how it goes

Agreed that Walter innoghen goofed on declaring his asset but at this sensitive period of election, the decision to suspend him is ill-thought.

May God not allow us be surrounded with evil people because they twerk situation and paint good people with little tainted image to a terrible person meanwhile they are the ones.

Fuckuignos:
They planned to install Atiku via the Supreme Court after Atiku must have lost. They planned to use technical grounds and will then say, ok the person that came second should be sworn in.
#Jagaban was looking them like BAT , All plan destroyed with one word, ( suspend )��
They will accept him and work with him, whether they like it or not grandparent and children of corrupt ancestors

Let's even talk about the corruption you are yapping about... Is there any politician in the country today that's more corrupt than Tinubu the owner of Lagos??

Ganduje is there... Babachir is there.. Oshiomole.. Fashola.. Amaechi who doesn't like money is there... Etc.. These are confirmed corrupt politicians...

The people you worship everyday.. Shame

Okay....grabs popcorn amidst controversies

ZombiePUNISHER:


What made me believe that zombies are walking dead people is that everyone against the tyranny of Buhari is painted to be corrupt...

Buhari is a failure whose only achievement in office is to gallivant round the world and take pictures...

He knows the surest way to remain in power is to rig the election... With judiciary now in his pocket..
Your guess is as good as mine...

Why are you crying more than the bereaved? Are you one of the judges? I understand how it has not been easy for you guys ( wailers) is the past 1 week.

Don't worry from tomorrow Monday, expect FG to drop another bombshell to distract attentions from Onnoghen, and also adding more gnashing of teeth .

Una never see chin chon

The provision reads; the functions of the Bureau shall be to;

(d) 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 the provisions of sections 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”.

Onnoghen had admitted, in writing, not to have declared his assets up to date and decided to bring it up to date when he was appointed the CJN.

By the provisions of the Act, he should not have been referred to the Tribunal for trial, a Supreme Court source argued.

Case close.

Buhari is a disgrace

If you look at the supreme Court Judges' list, you will see that it will be very difficult for this man to function. The opposition there will overwhelm him, just look at the inauguration of the election panels you will notice that only one justice attended it.

wristbangle:
Though Walter innoghen goofed on declaring his asset but at this sensitive period of election, the decision to suspend him is ill-thought.

May God not allow us be surrounded with evil people because they twerk situation and paint good people with little tainted image to a terrible person meanwhile they are the ones.

I support the judiciary not to work with the acting CJN. Due process must be followed.

the presidency know what they are doing,forget about the corruption allegations against the judge,this love is political.

wristbangle:
Though Walter innoghen goofed on declaring his asset but at this sensitive period of election, the decision to suspend him is ill-thought.

May God not allow us be surrounded with evil people because they twerk situation and paint good people with little tainted image to a terrible person meanwhile they are the ones.

I support the judiciary not to work with the acting CJN. Due process must be followed.

The whole idea is to cage the judiciary before the elections... Because after the elections.. The pendulum must have shifted...

These evil men must find a loophole to nail you when they come for you... Ask Dino.. Ask the journalist in the police net... We are in a dictatorial regimen

God help us

helinues:
The judges should think twice except if they don't have any skeleton in their cupboards ( which I doubt).

there is nothing to think twice about !!!! Buhari has zero supervisory powers over the Judiciary and it shall remain so ..we are still talking about this because it happened on a Friday evening , by Tuesday this logjam will be cleared and Tanko will be out alone in the rain ..

"..Tanko had always challenged Onnoghen over seniority, though the suspended CJN took oath before him at the apex court.

His argument was predicated on the assumption that since he got to the Bench ahead of Onnoghen, he should remain his senior, notwithstanding who got to the apex court first.

Onnoghen’s predecessor-in-office, Justice Muhammadu Mahmud, had insisted on the recognition of Onnoghen as being senior to Tanko.

The acting CJN is said not to be too popular among his colleagues due to the way he had consistently treated Onnoghen and his quick acceptance of the latter’s position is perceived at the apex court as a coup against the leadership of the court, the Sunday Tribune source explained.

So an egocentric fight by the fraudulent surrogate acting CJN is also another dimension to the Onneghen saga? Buhari/Tanko thought they're wise but the judicial coup will continue to pans out till they will all be consume.Supreme court judges are defiant like cultists.

helinues:

Why are you crying more than the bereaved? Are you one of the judges? I understand how it has not been easy for you guys ( wailers) is the past 1 week.
Don't worry from tomorrow Monday, expect FG to drop another bombshell to distract attentions from Onnoghen, and also adding more gnashing of teeth .
Una never see chin chon

Do you know that Buhari has no power to remove or suspend the CJN... But he did it anyways

If I call him a tyrant without situations like this.. It makes me look silly ... Buhari and his zombie supporters keep justifying impunity

Nwadiuto247:
Ok. Let's see how it goes

My fear is compromise. They shouldnt compromise. For once ,i hope we stand firm and united i really hope.

ZombiePUNISHER:


Do you know that Buhari has no power to remove or suspend the CJN... But he did it anyways

If I call him a tyrant without situations like this.. It makes me look silly ... Buhari and his zombie supporters keep justifying impunity

What makes this suspension different from GEJ's own? Yes NJC recommended Salami's suspension but on what basis/allegations? And if truly the decision was made by whole NJC correctly, why was Salami reinstated by same NJC?

The cabals are just pushing buari like a zombie, ask him about this Onnoghen case and he'll start telling you a different thing all together

SalamRushdie:


there is nothing to think twice about !!!! Buhari has zero supervisory powers over the Judiciary and it shall remain so ..we are still talking about this because it happened on a Friday evening , by Tuesday this logjam will be cleared and Tanko will be out alone in the rain ..

You said more than this before Onnoghen was suspended. Nobody takes you serious.

helinues:


You said more than this before Onnoghen was suspended. Nobody takes you serious.

He has only been suspended in your sentimental imagination .. Read my my lips !!!! Buhari has no such powers even in his dream ..By Tuesday you will come to your senses ... I noticed all of you still supporting Buhari are religious fanatics and there is a reason it's so

helinues:


What makes this suspension different from GEJ's own? Yes NJC recommended Salami's suspension

You believe now that Buhari is a tyrant

SalamRushdie:
There is nothing to think twice about !!!! Buhari has zero supervisory powers over the Judiciary and it shall remain so.

We are still talking about this because it happened on a Friday evening, by Tuesday this logjam will be cleared and Tanko will be out alone in the rain ..

Brilliant! Well said bro.Are you a lawyer?

Buhari fought with legislative arm and lost. He will lose this one as well

This is illegal, it is just like taking law in your hand.

Vickym1:
The cabals are just pushing buari like a zombie, ask him about this Onnoghen case and he'll start telling you a different thing all together

Buhari is not in charge... That's why they hide him from interviews and holding media chats..
He's never aware of all this and he only likes cartoons on the pages of newspapers...

ZombiePUNISHER:


You believe now that Buhari is a tyrant

But GEJ a saint? If not provide a link where you condemned him during Salami's saga

SalamRushdie:



He has only been suspended in your sentimental imagination .. Read my my lips !!!! Buhari has no such powers even in his dream ..By Tuesday you will come to your senses ... I noticed all of you still supporting Buhari are religious fanatics and there is a reason it's so

Lol

More wailing loading for you guys.

We will be here after the election to know who baba is.