JUST IN: NJC Issues Fresh Query To Acting CJN

The NJC also elected to set up a five-man investigation committee to further look examine the allegations against the suspended CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen and Muhammad. The committee is headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice S. A. Akintan. It was learnt that all the members of the new committee are members of the NJC. A statement issued by NJC’s spokesman, Soji Oye reads: “In continuation of its Emergency Meeting, the National Judicial Council 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 7-days. “Council directed the Investigation Committee to work expeditiously, determine all the petitions and responses and report to Council for a final decision.”]]>