NJC recommends immediate compulsory retirement of Onnoghen

The National Judicial Council, NJC, has recommended the compulsory retirement of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, The Nation, quoting a source within the NJC, has reported.

According to the report, the NJC based its decision on “incontrovertible” findings on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The NJC, according to the source, who preferred not to be named, urged the President to allow Justice Onnoghen retain his seat as a former CJN in the Council of State and that he should be retired with full benefits.

This, according to the source, was the major highlight of the NJC meeting held on Tuesday.

The source also disclosed that all NJC members decided not to comment on  the meeting because “it would not be right to do so when a letter has been sent to  the President  on their decision.”

They were also said to have reasoned that the President should be allowed to get details of their decision first.

Read also: Why we can’t make our recommendations on Onnoghen, Tanko known to the public- NJC

The source said: “The NJC has been able to navigate the most challenging moment for the nation’s judiciary by recommending compulsory retirement of Onnoghen with full benefits.

“The NJC specifically demanded that the CJN be allowed to take his eminent position in the Council of State like his predecessors.

“If these recommendations are accepted, the Executive may be on the same page with the Judiciary by staying action on the ongoing trial and other pending trials of the CJN.”

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