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Walter Onnoghen has resigned as the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) with immediate effect, TheCable can report.

He turned in his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday evening, a day after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended that he be compulsorily retired for misconduct.

By virtue of section 306 of the 1999 constitution, his resignation takes immediate effect.

Section 306 says “(1) Save as otherwise provided in this section, any person who is appointed, elected or otherwise selected to any office established by this Constitution may resign from that office by writing under his hand addressed to the authority or person by whom he was appointed, elected or selected. (2) The resignation of any person from any office established by this Constitution shall take effect when the writing signifying the resignation is received by the authority or person to whom it is addressed or by any person authorised by that authority or person to receive it.”

The resignation, TheCable understands, was the “best possible option” for Onnoghen under the current circumstance.

It will also save Buhari from having to get two-thirds majority of the senate to confirm Onnoghen’s retirement as stipulated in Section 292 (1) of the 1999 constitution which says a “judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances – (a) in the case of – (i) Chief Justice of Nigeria… by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.”

Buhari may not be able to muster the needed majority.

‘GOLDEN HANDSHAKE’

TheCable previously reported that Onnoghen’s retirement benefits in cash and kind will cost tax payers about N2.5 billion.

As part of the package for a retired chief justice, a house will be built for him in Abuja with a nine-digit sum for furnishing — in addition to a severance gratuity that is 300% of his annual basic salary of N3,363,972.50, as well as pension for life.

Just like state governors, a retired chief justice is entitled to a number of domestic staff and sundry allowances for personal upkeep.

This package for judicial officers was put together by the NJC long before Onnoghen became the CJN in 2017.

However, if he is dismissed, he will not be entitled to any benefits.

Onnoghen chose the option of resignation as a measure of damage control, his associates told TheCable.

CASED CLOSED?

TheCable reported on Wednesday that the NJC had recommended the embattled CJN for compulsory retirement after deliberating on a petition by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which alleges “financial impropriety, infidelity to the constitution and other economic and financial crimes related laws”.

Onnoghen, who denied all allegations, is also undergoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over charges of false asset declaration.

Onnoghen has closed his defence at the CCT and the tribunal is expected to give its judgment at the next sitting on April 15.

But for the crisis, Onnoghen, who is 68, was due for retirement in 2020.

If the “soft landing” option is favoured by Buhari, the EFCC may not proceed with filing criminal charges while the case at the CCT could become academic because the major punishment for Onnoghen would have been his removal from office.

He could be banned from holding public office for 10 years, while his assets believed to have been acquired illegitimately will be confiscated.

https://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-onnoghen-resigns-as-cjn-with-immediate-effect/

Long awaited resignation. Justice Onoghen lost the opportunity to write his name in gold.

What a shame. I'm disappointed.

Hmmmmmmm, good riddance. Chief Justice Seller of Nigeria.
But what's the essence of all the noise if we are still going to give him about 2.1bn in cash and kind?
Criminals in high places.
Why is CCB withholding the declaration of Fashola and other ministers from the public too?

Las las

I don't agree to this...

He is a finished human being if he just did that. He shouldn't have waited this long if he knew that he is going to bow out....haba things are not done this way. Anyway, I am still observing and yet to confirm this news.

Ok

All these packages in addition to the looted funds

This better not be true, I think he's the most powerful according to some foolish people

He held on thinking the noise making PDP will win the presidential election and save him.

This man should be prosecuted and all undeclared assets confiscated.

nice decision.. next,!!

The forces against him were too much. He ran a good race

Ratello:
He is a finished human being if he just did that. He shouldn't have waited this long if he knew that he is going to bow out....haba things are not done this way. Anyway, I am still observing and yet to confirm this news.

After you spent your entire life, defending a crook. I don't know what you people gain in siding with a thief, even if he was being witch hunted....was he clean? Did he declare his assets? Did he collect bribe from Wike/PDP to obstruct justice? Did he collect money from lawyers to dispense justice?

These are questions, a sensible and supposedly leader of tomorrow should be asking instead of siding with thieves to validate your hatred for Buhari and the APC.

he deserves to be jailed after this....

Another twist

Oga bureau de change has finally succumbed.

cool...you shamed those who thinks they can bring allegations to rigg you out

Put the crook behind bars

Smart move.

AT LAST THE THIEF RESIGNED. GOD IS GOOD

NgeneUkwenu:
After you spent your entire life, defending a crook. I don't know what you people gain in siding a thief, even if he was being witch hunted....was he clean? Did he declare his assets? Did he collect bribe from Wike/PDP to obstruct justice? Did he collect money from lawyers to dispense justice?

These are questions, a sensible and supposedly leader of tomorrow should be asking instead siding with thieves to validate your hatred for Buhari and the APC.

You know nothing

The removal of SE & SS from the system continues.

That's why I say, WE DONT BELONG IN NIGERIA.

Useless APC govt.

" If the “soft landing” option is favoured by Buhari, the EFCC may not proceed with filing criminal charges while the case at the CCT could become academic because the major punishment for Onnoghen would have been his removal from office.

He could be banned from holding public office for 10 years, while his assets believed to have been acquired illegitimately will be confiscated"
Na waooo

He took the honorable path eventually. This is what we advised him to do when the case broke out but he allowed some wailers and south south PDP governors to misguide him. It would have been more honorable if he’d resigned earlier and not after his retirement was recommended. Whatever the case, it’s good riddance to a rogue judge.

Kwaraption fight:

Identify an officer that is not “ cooperating “

Uncover skeleton, blow it out of proportion,

Blackmail the guy, send cct after the guy,

Intimidate the guy with efcc, tarnish image with media trial, then settle out of court.

Raise Gaduje’s hand and overlook Orji Uzor Kalu

End of process

GavelSlam:
What took him so long?

African man like to disgrace himself.

They made him a good offer...that's why

Why the immediate effect.

Either money have changed hand or great threat.
Naija i hail o

Ojapa