Ime Akpan
The Nigeria police, on Monday, have sealed off the office of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mr. Walter Onnoghen in a move meant to deny him access to the office.
Onnoghen who is facing a six-count charge at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged non-declaration of assets was suspended last Friday by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Immediately, he swore in Justice Tanko Mohammed as acting CJN pending the determination of the case against Onnoghen at the CCT.
The president claimed to have been “served with an Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal issued on Wednesday 23rd January 2019, directing the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen from office pending final determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and several other for a relating to his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers,”
It was learnt that the police arrived at the office located on the premises of the Supreme Court early in the morning morning and took positions.
“The police have sealed the office of the CJN. Officers and men of the Force went to the administrative staff offices at about 7am and ordered clerical and other staff who were already at their desks to leave after which they locked up everywhere,” said a source.
When contacted, Mr. Bassey Awasam, spokesman for Onnoghen to TheCable: “It’s true, it’s true.”
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court resumed sitting on Monday with the Muhammed, presiding over a five-man panel of the court.
Others sitting alongside Mohammed on the panel were Justices Mary Peter-Odili, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Amiru Sanusi and Paul Galinje.
