Before adjourning till Wednesday, the NJC gave Onnoghen seven days to respond to the petition, and also constituted a committee to probe the allegations levelled against him and Tanko Muhammad, the acting CJN.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has issued a fresh query to Walter Onnoghen, suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
At its meeting on Monday, the council asked Onnoghen to respond to a petition written against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Before adjourning till Wednesday, the NJC gave Onnoghen seven days to respond to the petition, and also constituted a committee to probe the allegations levelled against him and Tanko Muhammad, the acting CJN.
“The National Judicial Council reconvened today in an emergency meeting to consider the responses of Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON and Hon. Mr. Justice I.T. Muhammad, CFR to the three petitions written against them,” Soji Oye, NJC spokesman, said in a statement.
“Members resolved to constitute into the Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee in accordance with regulation 17 of the National Judicial Council Judicial Discipline Regulations, 2017 and report to council on the 13th of February 2019.
“The council will reconvene on Wednesday, 13th February, 2019.
“Council also received a new petition written by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON and forwarded it to him for his response within seven working days.
“Council reaffirmed its confidence in Hon. Mr. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, CON and continues under his interim chairmanship.”
Onnoghen was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari, relying on an order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), for alleged fraudulent assets declaration.
He was replaced by Muhammad in acting capacity.