Group Petitions Nigeria’s CJ, Justice W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, Alleges False Declaration Of Assets {SEE PETITION}

* Believes Petition Discloses Collusion Between His Lordship And Various Banks Related To Suspicious Transactions Reporting (STR)  *Alleges Breach of Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act An Anti-Corruption Group has written a petition against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Mr. Justice W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, for alleged sundry breaches of the Code of Conduct Bureau requirements for public officials including non-declaration and false declaration of assets. In the petition addressed to the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau under the designation of the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Group, Chief Dennis Aghanya, dated the 7^th day of January, 2019, received on the 9^th day of January, 2019, and made available to the TheNigerialawyer (TN), the petitioners alleged that the Chief Justice is the owner of sundry accounts primarily funded through cash deposits made by himself, up to as recently as 10^th August, 2016, which appear to have been run in a manner inconsistent with financial transparency and code of conduct for public officials. Citing examples, the petitioner stated that His lordship made five different cash deposits of $10,000 each on 8^th March, 2011 into standard Chartered Bank Account 1062650; on 7^th June, 2011, two separate cash deposits of $5000 each were made by him, followed by four cash deposits of $10,000 each; and that on the 27^th day of June, 2011, His lordship made another set of five separate cash deposits of $10,000 each on the following day, 28^th June, 2011. The petitioners further allege that His Lordship did not comply with the constitutional requirement for public servants to declare their assets every four year during their career. According to the petitioners, His Lordship has committed a breach of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act as non-declaration of assets immediately after taking office in several capacities prior to becoming the Chief Justice of Nigeria contrary to Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act; non-declaration of assets immediately after taking office as Chief Justice of Nigeria; non-declaration of assets at the statutory intervals after taking office throughout his career as a federal judicial officer; and false declaration of assets, and in particular, concealment of significant and declarable assets in the form of sundry bank accounts and the balances therein, all contrary to Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. Citing other facts and findings among others, the petitioners informed the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau that they believe that the petition discloses cases of suspicions financial and other transactions against His Lordship, collusion between His Lordship and various banks related to Suspicious Transactions Reporting (STR), and financial transactions not justifiable by His Lordship’s lawful remuneration at all material times. They, therefore, call on the Chairman to consider the petition bearing in mind the imminence of the 2019 General Elections and the overwhelming roles of the Judicial Arm both before and after, and that it is also inevitable that His Lordship is also by these acts a likely hostage to the sources of these funds and beholden to or generally corrupted by their clandestine interests which might prove injurious to the judiciary. As at the time of filing this report, TNL put a call across to one of the aides to the CJN and he stated that they are not aware of any such Petition or suit instituted against the CJN. Another source also informed TNL that they are want to use this to intimidate the CJN so that he will have nothing to do with the forthcoming 2019 general election. TNL is yet to get in touch with the Chairman Code of Conduct Bureau. Below see a copy of the petition in PDF Format [pdf-embedder url=”https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Doc2.pdf”]]]>