…Bode-Rhodes Vivour to be named deputy chairman

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

Justice Walter Onnoghen’s name has been removed from the National Judicial Council’s members’ list, preparing the ground for a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, to emerge as the council’s deputy chairman, The PUNCH reports.

The altered membership list of the NJC was observed on the council’s website at about 7.15pm on Sunday.

The list, displaying 23 members instead of the full membership of 24, shows that the council has yet to have a deputy chairman as constitutionally provided.

It was gathered that following Onnoghen’s exit, Justice Rhodes-Vivour as the second most senior Justice of the Supreme Court would be announced as the deputy chairman at the next meeting of the council.

“The date of the next meeting of the NJC is not known yet; but because the acting CJN has just taken over as the acting chairman of the council, it is expected that the deputy chairman will be announced at the next meeting,” a top judiciary source told our correspondent on Sunday.

Paragraph 20 (a) of Part I of the Third Schedule to the Constitution makes “the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court” a member of the council and provides that the person “shall be the Deputy Chairman.”

Our correspondent also observed on the website of the council on Sunday that the membership list of the NJC had been altered to reflect the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, as the acting chairman.

Onnoghen now occupies the 16th position on the list of former Chief Justices of Nigeria as observed on the website by our correspondent on Sunday.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal had last Thursday convicted Onnoghen on charges of breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and ordered his removal as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the chairman of both the NJC and the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

But multiple judiciary sources told our correspondent on Sunday that the NJC’s membership list was altered shortly after Justice Onnoghen tendered his resignation letter on April 4.

Constitutionally, the CJN is automatically the chairman of both the NJC and the Federal Judicial Service Commission, but Muhammad only took over the headship of the council on April 4, over two months after he began to act as the CJN.

This was a day after the NJC cleared him of wrongdoing in allowing himself to be sworn in as the acting CJN without NJC’s recommendation.

The council, which also investigated Onnoghen for various acts of misconduct, was said to have recommended him for retirement.

Onnoghen reportedly resigned on April 4, barely 24 hours after the NJC sent its recommendations to President Buhari.

Muhammad took over as the acting CJN after he was cleared by the NJC and Onnoghen resigned.

The current members of the NJC as observed on the council’s website on Sunday included Justice Muhammad; President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa; a former Justice of the Supreme Court and a former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sunday Akintan; and a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

They also included a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice, V.O.A Omage;

Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati; President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo; Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq Bello; and Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abiola.

The Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah; Chief Judge of Imo State, Pascal Nnadi; Chief Judge of Delta State, Marshal Umukoro; Grand Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Kwara State Grand Kadi Mohammed Abdulkadir; and President, Customary Court of Appeal, Plateau State, Justice Julia Kyentu are also members.

They also included the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN); a former NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN); and three NBA members, namely Dr Muiz Banire (SAN); Damien Dodo (SAN), and Efe Etomi.

The rest are a retired public servant, Mrs Rakiya Ibrahim; a former Permanent Secretary, Mrs R. Inga and Secretary to the Council, Ahmed Saleh.

https://punchng.com/onnoghen-removed-from-njc-membership-list/

yns4real:
…Bode-Rhodes Vivour to be named deputy chairman

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

Justice Walter Onnoghen’s name has been removed from the National Judicial Council’s members’ list, preparing the ground for a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, to emerge as the council’s deputy chairman, The PUNCH reports.

https://punchng.com/onnoghen-removed-from-njc-membership-list/

k

Confused government ruling confused Nigerians.

Like this picture below

good

Na wa oh

Ok

This guys are wicked I swear

Do you only make calls or texts with your phone?

Learn to super productive on your phone

https://www.seonigeria.com/a/UCH001/GEL

BuyACar:
This guys are wicked I swear

They are playing a script

Just like that

When will this government take bold step and make statement about the CJN, enough if this new although what do you expect when you have bunches of useless people at helm of affairs of the country.

... Lesson of life

Onnoghen is finally OnnoGONE.

This is a victory for Truth & Justice.

Good riddance to filthy rubbish

by the time you give this guy too much fame now him go say him won contest for election

Government by illiterates

Where is papa Sukudi please
This man needs his assistance


On a serious note
If Yeebows are praising you just know that your end is near. Tinubu that is doing good today is because of those rejected people that are against him.

QuotaSystem:
[s]Onnoghen is finally OnnoGONE.

This is a victory for Truth & Justice.

Good riddance to filthy rubbish[/s]

Stop writing rubb1sh

SalamRushdie
Pachukwudi44

You two unfortunate creatures have finally ruined Onnoghen.

[s]

BuhariIsBURIED:
Buhari is a use.less 1diotic tyrant, na only Onnoghen dem advice am, to witch hunt.. meanwhile Mr Bullion Van, Oshiomhole, Akpabio, Amaechi, Amosun, Okoroawusa, Gandollar e.t.c are walking free.. shebi he has rigged himself back let him free the man he isn't deciding his case.
One sided fake corruption fight.

[/s]

Let Side A of the cassette play finish before you switch to side B.

When any party takes over from Apc, you can write your petition against those names you mentioned and they would probe them.

However, till then, keep crying like a barren witch.

BuhariIsBURIED:

Nice one jare! u get sense, someone without certificate even Nepa bill tormenting someone that is greater than him.
Buhari that cannot read a common sack letter if given to him.. Nigeria is cursed with him

Let me tell u something, in 1994, Justice Niki Tobi recommended the sack of this same Onnoghen for corruption. Then, Onnoghen was a Judge in Cross River state.

Onnoghen has been a thief for more than 2 decades. His cup just became full. He escaped punishment in the High Court only to face worldwide disgrace in the Supreme Court.

http://saharareporters.com/2019/01/20/chief-justice-has-always-lived-above-his-means-and-now-nemesis-annie-orji

QuotaSystem:
Onnoghen is finally OnnoGONE.

This is a victory for Truth & Justice.

Good riddance to filthy rubbish

Your partisan tendencies will keep making you to appear too shallow to some of us. You love evil things too much. Onnoghen is not guilty of any thing leveled against him by these useless govt of Buhari

very good then

Ratello:

Your partisan tendencies will keep making you to appear too shallow to some of us. You love evil things too much. Onnoghen is not guilty of any thing leveled against him by these useless govt of Buhari

The Tribunal said he's guilty, you are saying he's not.

You Pdp supporters are the most intellectually crippled people I've ever come across. It is this mental polio you guys have that made Onnoghen not resign.

Onnoghen was meant to have resigned way before now to save this face. Can U imagine? He worked all his life only to tarnish his image. The people that advised hi. To go to war with the government are idiots. Him eye go open now

Ratello:


Your partisan tendencies will keep making you to appear too shallow to some of us. You love evil things too much. Onnoghen is not guilty of any thing leveled against him by these useless govt of Buhari

Like I care about the emotions of an irrelevant minority lol.

Your own partisan and criminal nature is ironically what's making you willfully blind to the EVIL in selling justice & wickedly cheating the innocent of Justice, and fail to see the righteousness in ensuring such evil is punished and expunged. Even the BIBLE is against corrupt judges.

Onnoghen is OnnoGONE

Kiss the truth

LyfeJennings:
Onnoghen was meant to have resigned way before now to save this face. Can U imagine? He worked all his life only to tarnish his image. The people that advised hi. To go to war with the government are idiots. Him eye go open now

Most of those advising him to keep disgracing himself are Pdp members and Igbos.

Onnoghen believed that if Atiku wins, he'll be reinstated. However, as Atiku lost, he lost the trial and resigned too.

Atiku be like "NJC has hacked their server and deleted Onnoghen's name".

Thank God for buhari
Nigeria is getting cleaner, one corrupt chief justice eliminated at a time

BuhariIsBURIED:
Buhari is a use.less 1diotic tyrant, na only Onnoghen dem advice am, to witch hunt.. meanwhile Mr Bullion Van, Oshiomhole, Akpabio, Amaechi, Amosun, Okoroawusa, Gandollar e.t.c are walking free.. shebi he has rigged himself back let him free the man he isn't deciding his case.
One sided fake corruption fight.

E pain you well well.
He will soon be deported to Biafra Republic.

PearlStreet:


The Tribunal said he's guilty, you are saying he's not.

You Pdp supporters are the most intellectually crippled people I've come across. It is this mental polio you guys have that made Onnoghen not resign.

I know you are blind for nothing bUT would rather bark out rubbish at any given time even my native billy goat knows Onnoghen was never guilty but must be axed by the fearful Buhari your god.


Onnoghen and the unfolding controversies
Published February 5, 2019
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File: Walter Onnoghen


Similoluwa Daramola

Politics has remained a major problem hampering the dispensation of justice in Nigeria. Sentiments on the bases of tribe, religion, and partisan politics have bedevilled the Nigerian justice system over the years. The recent trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, has generated a series of controversies and reactions both home and abroad over the constitutionality of the trial. The background to this trial is the recent allegation levelled against the Chief Justice for false asset declaration and failure to declare monies in his foreign account amounting to some $5m. The two major issues of law have been the one relating to whether or not the Presidency had complied with the conditions precedent before the suspension of the CJN and the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to entertain such a matter. What marvels me the most as regards the remarks of many Nigerians have been the comments of sentiment and bias on the attempt on the part of the Presidency to sabotage the South-South geopolitical zone following the allegations of marginalisation rather than the issues of law.

The allegations that the rule of law has been unrepentantly trampled upon under this administration must come with the fact that any misconduct emanating from the judicial arm of government must not be waved with the left palm downward and this is because justice is the only thing we live for in our daily relations with people and the fact that the court is the last hope of the common man. Section 1 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes provisions for the supremacy of the constitution implying that the business of governance must be done in accordance with the dictates of the constitution. Nigerians must get the point that Justice Onnoghen is still presumed innocent until he has been found guilty in line with Section 36(5) of the constitution. While Section 292, which has remained the mantra amidst these controversies states that the only circumstance in which the a judicial officer can be removed from office before retirement is through the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed on the basis of misconduct in this circumstance. The rationale behind this provision is to guarantee an independent and impartial judiciary from the abuse of power by one organ of government in line with the doctrine of separation of power.


It is conspicuous that the Legislature and Executive in Nigeria have not been operating in the best harmony needed for good governance arising from personal grouse capped with feather of the 2019 elections. In my view, the 8th National Assembly with all sense of candour has not lived up to the sincerity expected from it in truly representing the interests of the people. This condition precedent of a two-third majority was not secured by the Presidency.

One germane issue Nigerians must note is that the Chief Justice of Nigeria does not enjoy immunity under Section 308 of the constitution and so to paint a picture that he is untouchable is to slap the face of justice which he stands to defend in his office as the ambassador of justice in the Nigerian judiciary. However, one argument that may serve as a lacuna in the constitution in my opinion is Section 292 seeking the removal of any judicial officer on the address of the President supported by a two-third majority may be abused and used as a tool for conspiracy. However, since the positivist school of jurisprudence on its analysis of law suggests that the law remains law until amended or repealed, Section 292 still holds sway which the President did not comply with when he suspended the Chief Justice and appointed Justice Tanko Mohammad as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria during the pendency of the case in the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

On the status and jurisdiction of the CCT, it is imperative to note that the tribunal is a creation of the constitution and is not unknown to law. Part I of the Fifth Schedule of the constitution particularly Section 11 of the Schedule states that a public officer shall declare his assets within three months after the coming into force of this code or immediately after taking office and thereafter at the end of every four years or at the end of his term of office submit to the CCB a written declaration of all his property, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of 18 years and any statement in such declaration that is found to be false by any authority or person authorised in that behalf to verify it shall be deemed to be a breach of this code. Since Section 19 of the same Schedule interprets public officers to include the CJN and the nature of allegations borders on false declaration, then it is not out of context for Onnoghen to be tried in the Tribunal after all he doesn’t enjoy immunity.

The point that the Chief Justice of Nigeria is being tried is in tandem with one of the tripod constituents of the rule of law as put forward by A. V. Dicey which is equality before the law in the absence of immunity. The fact that Lady Justice is blindfolded to an extent reveals that the law is no respecter of person and so, let unhealthy tribal sentiments be put aside. One major thing that baffles me is this and that is the legality of the order of the Tribunal and speedy executive swearing of the most senior justice of the Supreme Court in line with Section 231(4) of the constitution. Judicial pronouncements in Garba v University of Maiduguri (1986) 1 NWLR Pt. 18, p. 550 and Denlonye v Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (1968) All NLR 298,Legal Practitioners Disciplinary C v Fawehinmi (1985) 2 NWLR pt. 7.p. 300 SC an interpretation of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution is to the effect that in the determination of the civil rights or obligation including any question by any court of law or tribunal, a person shall be guaranteed the right to fair hearing, and such tribunal or court must be constituted in such a manner as to ensure the dispensation of justice. To act on an ex parte order that the Chief Justice of Nigeria vacate his office and swear another without observing the principle of fair hearing which Justice Kayode Eso in his Obiter in Adigun v Attorney-General Oyo State (1987) 1 NWLR pt. 679 SC held that God observed the two pillars of fair hearing expressed in the Latin maxim, audialterampartemnemojudex in causasua, (meaning, hear both sides and no one can be a judge in his own case) before chasing Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden, will constitute disregard for the rule of law which in the words of Aristotle is better than the rule of man.

President Buhari in his fight against corruption must ensure that due process of law is complied with. The President seems to always play into the hands of the opposition with the actions he takes. The swearing-in of another northerner simply validates the presumption held by many that Buhari is a tribalist.

Mr President has refused to note that Section 14(3) of the Constitution providing for federal character though non-justiciable is the only provision Nigerians hold in high esteem and the political game of Nigeria has yet to ripen into the point that tribe doesn’t matter but rather what matters is competency. My question still remains, was the President not properly advised before taking such an action considering the army of lawyers he is surrounded with particularly the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami? Whatever the intention of the President was in taking such a decision, the point remains crystal clear that he acted ultra vires and going by Lord Denning’s much quoted obiter dictum in Benjamin MacFoy v United African Company Ltd(1962) AC 152 one cannot put something on nothing and expect the same to stand because it will surely collapse.

Integrity, accountability, and transparency must be restored in all arms of government especially the judicial arm but the rule of law must be complied with. Mr. President should kindly note that Nigerians are also asking questions concerning Babachir Lawal, his former Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

https://punchng.com/onnoghen-and-the-unfolding-controversies/

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Onnoghen was only axed on political ground which is clear to the discerning minds!

They are really tormenting this man.