NJC issues fresh query to acting CJN

ACTING Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad was yesterday given seven days by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to respond within seven days, to a fresh petition written against him by the Action People’s Party (APP).

The directive came two days after suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen got a seven-day ultimatum from the Council to respond to a fresh petition against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Both Justices had up till last Monday to respond to petitions earlier filed against them.

As part of its resolutions at yesterday’s sitting, the NJC also raised a five-man panel to further look into allegations against the Justices Onnoghen and Muhammad.

The committee is headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice S. A. Akintan.

According to a statement by NJC’s spokesman Soji Oye, the membership of the new committee was drawn from the NJC.

The statement reads: “In continuation of its emergency meeting, the NJC accepted the result of the preliminary assessment of the petitions against Hon. Mr. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON and Hon. Mr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR that the petitions were worthy of further investigation and should not be terminated under Rule 17 of the Judicial Discipline Regulations of the Council.

“Consequently, the council constituted a five-member Investigation Committee pursuant to Rule 20 (1) of the Judicial Discipline Regulations under the Chairmanship of Hon. Mr. Justice S. A. Akintan, CON, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“A new petition against Hon. Mr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR, by the Action People’s Party (APP) was referred to the Hon. Mr. Justice for his comments within an abridged seven days.

“Council directed the Investigation Committee to work expeditiously, determine all the petitions and responses   and report to Council for a final decision.”