The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has accused the National Judicial Council, NJC, of conniving with the presidency to retire Justice Walter Onnoghen and recommend Justice Tanko Mohammed as the substantive CJN.
Reports by Guardian claim that the council had earlier fixed Monday, February 11, 2019, to consider responses from Justices Onnoghen and Tanko over the petitions written against them.
In a statement issued in Abujaon Sunday, February 10, 2019, through its spokesperson, Ikenga-Imo Ugochinyere, the group said:
“The compromised draft resolution contains the decision that the suspended Onnoghen be forcefully retired while Justice Mohammed be confirmed as the substantive CJN.
“It also contains the defence of Justice Tanko that as at the time he made himself available in the villa to be sworn in as acting CJN, he did not have much of a choice as security operatives were detailed to bring him to the Villa on his way from the Mosque.
“The acting chairman of NJC, Justice Abdullahi has already sealed a deal with the presidency and has already commenced his role of persuading members of the NJC to support the government and adopt the resolution.
“Justice Abdullahi, who happens to come from Katsina state and was also a classmate of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Katsina Government Secondary School, had reached certain understanding with the presidency.”
According to the CUPP, this same Abdullahi was one of the first persons recruited by President Buhari to defend his controversial certificate saga.
The group alleged that members of NJC who have refused to be compromised have been threatened with allegations of corruption.
The coalition urged Justice Abdullahi to step aside for allegation of bias. “We shall continue to do all within the ambits of law to defend our constitutional democracy and we must not wary,” it added.
