NJC Slams Onnoghen, Mohammed 7-Days Ultimatum To Respond To Petitions Against Them

The apex body of Nigeria judiciary, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has slammed the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, and the acting CJN, Tanko Mohammad, seven days ultimatum to respond to petitions written against them.

The resolution was reached during an emergency meeting held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

This is coming four days after President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen who was subsequently replaced by Justice Muhammed on acting capacity.

President Buhari had last week Friday suspended the CJN on alleged order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) based on allegations that he violated the code of conduct for public officers by not declaring his assets as required by law.

Justice Muhammad was sworn in on Friday as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the NJC has referred the petition written against Danladi Umar, the CCT Chairman, to the Federal Judicial Service Commission while Muhammad is to respond to a petition against him over an alleged breach of NJC rules.

The council, therefore, said it would reconvene on February 11, 2019 to discuss further actions against the judicial officers.