(AGENCY REPORT) Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), postponed the 88th meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) at the eleventh hour without stating any reason. However, SaharaReporters now understands it was due to fears he could be suspended by the council.
The NJC held its 87th meeting on October 3 and October under the chairmanship of Onnoghen. At the end of the meeting, it recommended the appointment one Supreme Court Justice, three chief judges, three other judges of state high courts and a judge each for the Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal. The 88th meeting was to hold on Tuesday January 15, 2019.
But days earlier, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) had slammed fraudulent asset declaration charges against the CJN at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Afraid that the NJC could suspend him because of this, Onnoghen — despite knowing that NJC members were already in Abuja for that purpose — postponed the meeting.
Notice of the postponement, served by Soji Oye, NJC’s Director of Information, read: “Sir/Ma, I am directed by The Honorable, The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON to inform you that the 88th Meeting of the Council slated for Tuesday 15th, January, 2019 has been postponed to a later date to be communicated to you.
“Any inconvenience this might cause you is highly regretted. Please, accept the assurances of the high regards of His Lordship, Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON.”