The Nigerian Bar Association on Tuesday reiterated its call on the Federal Government to withdraw the charges of non-declaration of assets filed against the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The association in a statement by its President, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), called on the Federal Government to comply with due process by allowing the National Judicial Council to conclude investigations into the two petitions so far instituted against Onnoghen at the Council.
Usoro made the call ahead of the Wednesday’s proceedings at the CCT which had at the previous proceedings ordered Onnoghen to compulsorily attend before his objection to the case could be heard.
The CCT’s proceedings will also coincide with the NJC’s sitting which was adjourned till Wednesday to review a report of its pre-assessment committee on the petitions against Onnoghen and the acting CJN, Tanko Muhammad.
Usoro said, “Given these nonexhaustive considerations and facts, we press on the Executive arm of the FGN to please discontinue the Charge against the CJN when the matter comes up before the COT tomorrow, Wednesday, 13 February 2019. We respectfully urge full compliance with due process by FGN in this matter by allowing the NJ C process to take its course in respect of the two petitions against the CJN a step that has already, commendably, been embraced by FGN in respect of the EFCC petition.”