By Kayode Adeoti
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, yesterday, condemned the resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen.
The CJN was dragged before Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by the Federal Government following the allegation of non declaration of asset as stipulated by law.
The Chairman of the Ilorin branch of NBA, Barr. Muhammed Akande while speaking with this medium in a telephone chat on the issue last night said the process that led to the CJN’s resignation was wrong.
Akande added that whether Onnoghen was guilty of the offences he was accused of or not, it is wrong to remove him from office through motion exparte.
He also beckoned on Nigerians not to expect much from the CCT investigation now that the CJN has tendered his resignation letter to the Presidency.
“I still maintain my stand that it is wrong for the CJN to be removed through an exparte application, whether he’s guilty or not. I believe the NJC has done the proper thing by recommending that he should be compulsorily retired, that was why my ‘My Lord’ subsequently, turned in his resignation letter.
“His trial is still ongoing, but it has been adjourned for judgement, in my humble view, I don’t see much coming from the CCT now that the CJN has finally exited the office. Tribunal can only order his removal and he has already tendered his resignation letter. The CCT cannot send him to prison because it is not a fully fledged trial but just a quasi criminal trial, though one cannot pre-empt the mind of the court.
Barr. Adeola Omotunde who also lent his voice described the CJN’s resignation as inconsequential.
“We learnt he has put up a notice of retirement, either this matter comes up or not, he has to go, he has few months to spend in office because he has attained the age of retirement. To me, I don’t see this issue of CCT trial as compelling issue to his retirement…” Omotunde stressed.
On his part, the Chairman of Young Lawyers’ Forum (YLF), Ilorin branch, Barr. Olayinka Dauda Jimoh said the retirement of the CJN is coming at the right time and that is the best option for Nigerians.
“The resignation of Onnoghen is inevitable after the recommendation of the NJC that he should be retired. Had he not resigned, he would have been sacked out rightly but as an honourable man, we expect him to resign after the allegations of non declaration of asset levelled against him.
“Though we await the outcome of the case that is pending before the CCT as he has not been found guilty yet.
Recall that the news of Onnoghen’s resignation, who had earlier been suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari was confirmed by a senior lawyer in his legal team on Friday.
Onnoghen had reportedly sent his resignation letter to President Buhari on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the National Judicial Council (NJC) concluded investigating him for various allegations of misconduct.
