ABUJA – Barely 24 hours after the National Judicial Council concluded investigating him for various allegations of misconduct, suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, has resigned
Information about his resignation was confirmed yesterday, by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), a senior lawyer in his legal team.
“I have just spoken with him. He confirmed to me that he resigned voluntarily yesterday (Thursday),” the senior advocate who said he did not have Onnoghen’s authorisation to speak on the issue noted.
Onnoghen had reportedly sent his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
It was reliably gathered that Onnoghen’s resignation letter was submitted to the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, by some Justices of the Supreme Court.
The Justices who submitted the letter were said to have arrived at the Aso Rock villa a few minutes after President Muhammadu Buhari had left Abuja for Jordan to participate in the World Economic Forum on Thursday.
There has not been an official confirmation of his resignation; while his spokesperson, Mr. Awassam Bassey, has yet to answer his calls.
Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) further explained that his client, Justice Walter Onnoghen has resigned in the interest of the judiciary.
“I have just spoken with him. He confirmed to me that he resigned yesterday.
He said he resigned in the interest of the Judiciary”, he stressed.
Sources
close to the Villa volunteered that before leaving for Jordan,
President Buhari had, received the National Judicial Council’s
recommendations on the petition written against Onnoghen and the acting
CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad.
The report was submitted to the president by his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, who was accompanied by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, at about 2:20 p.m.
The Director, Information, NJC, Mr Soji Oye, on Wednesday in a statement, confirmed that the council had sent its report to President Buhari after the conclusion of its investigation into the petitions against Onnoghen and the acting CJN.
Efforts to speak to presidential spokesmen, Mr Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu, on the matter, proved abortive as the duo were outside the country on official and private engagements.
Adesina is currently on President Buhari’s entourage to Jordan while Shehu is in Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, presidency yet to confirm the receipt of the resignation letter by the suspended Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Also, the Supreme Court has denied reports that Justice Walter Onnoghen has resigned from office.
The Director of Information and Press, Dr. Festus Akande, denied the report describing the news as rumour.
Another official from the office of the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, who confided in our correspondent, equally denied the reports as mere rumour.
Similarly, the media aide to Justice Onnoghen, Awassam Bassey, and the Director of Information, National Judicial Council (NJC), Mr. Soji Oye, have both denied the report of Onnoghen’s resignation.
