SERIOUSLY? Onnoghen Has Resigned As CJN

April 5, 2019
231 Views

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, a day after the National Judicial Council recommended that he be compulsorily retired for misconduct.
By virtue of section 306 of the 1999 constitution, his resignation takes immediate effect. The resignation, TheCable understands, was the “best possible option” for Onnoghen under the current circumstance.

It will also save President 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 said.

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.

Invest In Social Force & Get 50%
Click HERE >>

To Buy Cheap MTN & GLO Data
Click HERE >>

You may be interested

Man City Suffer Double Injury Setbacks
Sports
1 views
Sports
1 views

Man City Suffer Double Injury Setbacks

Webby - November 2, 2024

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of John Stones and Ruben Dias following Saturday’s…

Former Flying Eagles Star Escapes Major Injury In Belgium
Sports
Sports

Former Flying Eagles Star Escapes Major Injury In Belgium

Webby - November 2, 2024

Nigeria winger Yira Sor is expected to return to action after the international break, reports Completesports.com.Sor sustained an injury in…

Raphinha: I Decided To Remain At Barca To Prove Doubters Wrong
Sports
1 views
Sports
1 views

Raphinha: I Decided To Remain At Barca To Prove Doubters Wrong

Webby - November 1, 2024

Barcelona star Raphinha says his decision to remain with the club is meant to prove doubters wrong.Recall that the Brazilian…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.