Court adjourns suit seeking CJN Mohammed’s prosecution for age falsification

A federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned a case seeking the prosecution of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed over an allegation bordering on age falsification.

A businessman, Tochi Michael, 46, had sued the acting CJN over age falsification.

In a suit filed at a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Abuja in April, Michael accused the CJN of deliberately altering his date of birth from December 31,1950, which is in his official records, to December 31, 1953 after he became a judicial officer.

In the case marked with suit no. FCT/HC/BW/CV/79/2019, the businessman prayed the court to prosecute the CNJ over his criminal act which is against the constitution.

He also asked the court to determine if the acting CJN has not violated the code of conduct for judicial officers and as a result, reduced the image of the judiciary to a state of disrepute and odium.

The petitioner also requested the court to declare that Mohammed falsified his date of birth and has consequently breached the constitution of the country.

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The suit also sought that the inspector-general of police (IGP) should be ordered to prosecute the acting CJN for perjury.

The counsel to Mohammed during the hearing, Sam Ologunorisa, told the court that Michael and his counsel were absent, asking the court to dismiss the suit.

“We on our part filed a notice of preliminary objection, a counter affidavit and a written address. We urge the court to deem it fit that the originating summons has been argued,” Ologunorisa said.

“We urge the court to dismiss the suit. The case is meant to scandalise the CJN.”

But the presiding judge, Danlami Senchi, gave another opportunity to the petitioner to appear before the court to prove his allegation against the CJN.

Senchi, adjourned the case till Friday, May 24 and ordered hearing notices be served on the plaintiff.

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