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  • 164 APC members-elect endorse Gbajabiamila as Speaker

    Newly elected members of the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Progress (APC) on Thursday backed the ambition of Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiaila to become the next Speaker.

    The group numbering about 164 said it was not right for the north to produce the President of the Senate and demand for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    In a statement to newsmen in Abuja by the its chairman, Hon. Tunji Olabunmi Ojo and the Director General, Hon. Dunkwu Nnamdi Chamberlain, the Forum of newly elected APC members of the House of Representatives said it would be difficult for them to go against the wishes of the party and President, Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to the forum, APC zoned President to the North, the Vice President to the South, Senate President to the North and now the Speaker to the South.

    It added those from the North Central agitating for the Speakership were insincere as the north cannot produce the Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives at the same time.

    The Forum said they expect all the APC elected members to respect the position of the party on the zoning of the Speakership as they are products of the party.

    Their statement reads in part: “Every member of the party is a product of the party; the party gave everybody the platform to contest and apart from given platform, the party also gave assistant to members before, during and after elections.

    Read Also: Gbajabiamila empowers fish, vegetable farmers

    “So, it is expected that as a loyal party members, we are supposed to toll the line of the party and now that the party and Mr. President have spoken that Femi should be supported for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, we expect every party faithful to toll that line and support Gbajabiamila to emerge as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “We believe he has the experience; more experience than other people that are contesting the position. It is not just enough for you to bring out posters. Femi is very qualified, eminently qualified more than any other person.

    “Let just forget about geopolitical zone, we are talking about competence, we are talking about Nigeria, we are talking about the interest of the down trodden.

    “Femi would be able to articulate policies that would benefit the generality of the Nigerian masses to compliment the next level agenda of Mr. President.

    “Right from the time it has always been North/South. The Presidency is zoned to the North, while the Vice President is to the South.

    “Now Senate President has been zoned to the North and Speakership to the South and when it comes to the South we decide where it should go.

    “Politics in this country is played along the line of North and South. North Central is North, North West is North and North East is North.

    “So, the Speakership has been zoned to South. When we zoned the Presidency to the North, North West produced the President. So, for those talking about zoning, zoning in this country is done North/South.”

    On how the forum intend to make impact in the election of the Speaker, it said: “Well, the Forum of the newly elected APC members has 164 Representatives, then we have members of other political parties that are also affiliated to this Forum of new members irrespective of their political parties.

    “Some of them were originally APC but because they could not get ticket during the primaries to contest, they moved to other parties.

    ‘’So, we have the same ideology, they are just there because they went to look for a platform to contest. They are all with us in this struggle to make sure that Femi emerges as the Speaker of House of Representatives.”

    They claimed the election of Gbajabiamila would prevent what happened in the 8th Assembly, where the policies of the government and that of the party were frustrated.

    They said” “We want to ensure that what happened in the 8th Assembly would not repeat itself, where party loyalty was thrown to the dustbin. People went there to fight for their individual pockets.

    “We are in this 9th Assembly to fight for the interest of Nigerians. Nigerians are suffering.

    “How can Mr. President present a budget and for 7 months the budget was still being kept on hold – frustrating the good policies of Mr. President, frustrating the good policies if the party?”

  • 2019 ITTF World Championships: Quadri makes seeding list in singles

    Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has been seeded number 22 among the top ranked players listed in the 64-man seeding released by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for the 2019 World Championships holding in Budapest, Hungary on April 21 to 28.

    Quadri who is ranked 23 in the April 2019 ITTF ranking released two weeks ago will be starting his campaign from the main draw (round of 128) and he has been profiled among the players to watch out for in Budapest.

    Aside from Aruna Quadri, Egypt’s Omar Assar also made the seeding list as the former African champion has been seeded 40th in the men’s seeding list.

    Egypt’s Dina Meshref is the only African female player listed in the seeding list for women’s singles as the African champion is seeded 34th in the list and she will also start her campaign from the main draw.

    Also, the mixed doubles seeding list, Nigeria’s pair of egun Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike has been seeded 21th among the 32 seeded pairs in the event. Toriola and Oshonaike are rated ahead of the Egypt’s duo of Omar Assar and Dina Meshref who are both seeded 24th.

    Also the CEO of ITTF, Steve Dainton looks ahead to what is all set to be a true celebration of the sport.

    “When you have all the best players from around the world competing against each other, you can be sure that there will be many epic matches in store. Given the sheer number of participants, there are always likely to be shock results too, and I can’t wait to watch as the drama unfolds.

    “Of course, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are not too far away now either, and, as this is the biggest eventprior, it will also be interesting to see which players make a big impression in Budapest and prove themselves as top candidates for medalsnext year.

     

    “What I can say with absolute certainty is that the local organising committee, the Hungarian Table Tennis Association, have put in a huge amount of effort with the full support of the country. Therefore, we are sure that this will be a truly unforgettable event,” the CEO said.

     

  • Osun moves to secure state from bandit-miners, criminals

    Worried about the likely infiltration of illegal miners and bandits displaced from Zamfara State, Osun State Government on Thursday urged security stakeholders and traditional rulers to be at alert to prevent all forms of criminality.

    Governor Adegboyega Oyetola said: “It has become imperative to put measures in place to checkmate the influx of displaced illegal miners to prevent the reverberation effect of the Zamfara State crisis in Osun.”

    He spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday at a security sensitasation programme attended by traditional rulers, security operatives, civil society organisations, politicians, market women, community leaders and top government functionaries.

    The governor spoke on the need for security powered by intelligence gathering, vigilance by traditional rulers in their domain and the need to alert security agents on their observation to prevent crime and criminality.

    Some of the security chiefs at the meeting raised the alarm on the infiltration of mining sites in the state by some bandits and urged the rulers to assist the operatives so that the invaders do not have a foot hold.

    The top security chiefs cautioned landlords against renting out houses to people without knowing their background or profiling them.

    “If you rent out your house to a person who turns out to be a bandit, you will bear the consequence with him,” Governor Oyetola warned landlords.

    He urged traditional rulers to work hard in the villages because illegal miners “are gathering in remote areas of our state.”

    The Federal government banned all forms of mining in Zamfara State following sustained killings by bandits propelled by those believed to be illegal miners.

    The governor said: “The purpose of the stakeholders’ meeting is to sensitize the security stakeholders on the need to forestall possible influx of illegal miners and the attendant risks of kidnapping, killings, drug dealings, arms peddling and rape.

    “The overall objective is to better secure our state, make our minerals-rich communities peaceful, make mining commercially viable and deliver development to our people.

    “In a nation where securing our oil wealth has been a perennial challenge, ensuring that our state’s mineral wealth does not become a resource curse, is a task we must all embrace squarely.

    “It is in light of this that we regard the recent ban on mining activities in Zamfara States as a potential threat to mining activities in our State, which is blessed with mining deposits in commercial quantity.

    Read Also: Osun records hike in forestry revenue

    “We must not yield our state to bandits and aggressors. We must work together to secure our communities.

    “Our security agencies must unleash their intelligence capacity to crack the activities of bandits. Bad elements must be made to face the music to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “I appeal to our people to provide credible information to security agencies while the ‎traditional and religious leaders, security agents, government agencies and leaders should be above board.

    “There is a need to heavily fortify our minerals-rich communities to make them impregnable to external aggression and incursion”.

    Governor Oyetola told the gathering that his administration had given priority to welfare of the people and provision of security knowing them to be core components of the foundation for peace and development.

    The governor added: “It is in recognition of these axioms that our young administration kicked off with the provision of robust welfare programmes and collaboration with security agencies to secure the state and to keep it together in peace.

    “We have worked hard as an administration to further improve on agriculture in order to deliver food security just as we are tackling youth unemployment through our social protection programmes.

    “We shall further concretize the state’s security and peace architectures so that our reputation as people living in peace would be further sustained.

    “Apart from maintaining the extant peace, our core strategies entail adopting a proactive approach to nip security breach in the bud”.

    Commissioner of Police, Mrs Abiodun Ige; State Director Department of State Service (DSS), Mr Brown Ekwoaba; State Commander National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Samuel Egbeola ‎and Acting Comptroller Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Ibong Osato Aideyan, who attended the programme, advocated synergy among security agents and with residents to enhance security.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who led other major traditional rulers to the meeting, said traditional rulers have a greater ruler to prevent infiltration into their community by bandits and urged the state government to empower the rulers to be able to assist the government’s security efforts.

     

  • Reps PenCom probe chairman steps down over pressure

    The investigation of Chairman of the House of alleged misappropriation of N9 trillion by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) by the House of Representatives claimed its first casualty on Thursday.

    Chairman of the ad-hoc Committee Johnson Agbonnayinma stepped down his position, claiming external and internal pressure on him to scuttle the investigation.

    At a press briefing, Agbonnnayinma said his daughter, Deborah, who was alleged to have worked with PenCom with fake certificates is an adult who should be responsible for her actions.

    While he said the investigation of PenCom and the resultant pressure was not about him or his daughter, the lawmakers noted that it was an organised movement with some members being used against the Committee.

    He said: “Please, be aware that I have been trending on the social media, print and electronic media on the sack of Deborah Agbonayinma by the management of PenCOM over presentation of fake credentials.

    “As a lawmaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a parent, I will never condone illegality and at all times stand on the path of Justice.

    “I have been smeared by the conduct of a child who is an adult, married and over 30 years of age, who is responsible for her actions and inactions.

    “I will always walk on the path of justice and the oaths I took as prescribed by the seventh schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to function honestly in the discharge of my duties.

    Read Also: Pension assets stand at N8.906 trn – PenCom

    “The management of PenCOM is on a path of war because of the ongoing investigations by the Ad-hoc Committee, using public funds to blackmail and threaten the Committee through some members by saying I am hard on the commission because of the sack of my daughter.

    “It is germane to note that the Commission sacked her on the 27th February, 2019 and the Ad-hoc committee started its investigations on December 12th, 2018.

    “It is scandalous to link PenCOM probe to my daughter’s sack.

    “The truth about the PenCOM funds must come out. There has been a systematic and orchestrated attempt to frustrate the patriotic and determined effort of this Ad-hoc Committee.

    “This fight is not against me or my daughter, this is a fight against the cohesive sanctity of this House.

    “Government is continuum, irrespective of who chairs the Ad-hoc Committee, I am optimistic a holistic investigation will be done devoid of prejudiced.

    “As I step aside as chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the Activities of PenCom from April 2017 to date, I seek the support of the Speaker, members of the Committee and stakeholders as well as PenCOM in the discharge of the Ad-hoc Commiunee mandate as prescribed in the House Resolution.”

    He said the investigation met very stiff oppositions and challenges immediately after its inaugural meeting with various motions for the rescission of the motion setting up the Ad-Hoc Committee moved by members of the House.

    According to him, the sponsors for the rescission of the motion were commissioned by management of PenCOM to subvert the directives of the House and derail the activities of the ad hoc Committee, a development he described as being at variance with the Standing Orders of the House, particularly Order 8 Rule” Notice of Motions”.

    He said a member of the ad hoc Committee threw decorum to the wind when he took it upon himself to derail activities of the Ad-hoc Committee with unparliamentarily remarks and several overtures to subvert the mandate of the Ad-hoc Committee.

    “From our Findings the body language of the Honourable Member is that of a commissioned agent and with a directive to stifle the investigations and subvert the report of the Ad-hoc Committee. It is very sad that a ranking parliamentarian is involve in these unwholesome acts. This is the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob.

    “The Ad-hoc Committee wrote series of letters to PenCOM from December, 2018 and has so far written 11 letters to PenCOM requesting information’s and submission of Memorandum to the committee.

    “Also, note that letters were also communicated to Pension Funds Administrators (PFA’s), Pension Fund Custodians (PFC’s), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Office of the Secretary of the Federation (SGF), Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Inion Congress (TUC) and various stakeholders and government parastatals. It may surprise you to note that our first Public Hearing was held on the 7th of February, 2019”.

    Meanwhile,  in a swift reaction, the  member alleged to have been used against the ad hoc Committee, Oluwole Oke, who is also the  Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement denied the the allegation through short text message.

    It reads: “How and in what way? Let him substantiate his allegations with facts. Such allegation is false and untrue.

    “He (Agbonayinma) should not drag me into his woes and that of his daughter over their allegations of certificate forgery.

    “The Committee has constitutional powers to do their job and bring their report to the floor. I have no business with Pencom. I don’t owe any PFA or a Director in any.

    “If there is any lawmaker that PenCom hates it’s me because of my Legislative activities sponsoring bills that exited the Armed Forces and Intelligence Communities”.

  • EFCC arraigns dismissed judge Ajumogobia for ‘money laundering’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday arraigned a dismissed Federal High Court judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, for alleged money laundering.

    She was charged along with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Godwin Obla, who was absent.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa issued a summons for him to appear on the day fixed for trial.

    When the case was called for the defendants’ to take their pleas, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said efforts to reach Obla failed.

    He said the SAN’s phones were switched off and that his lawyer could not confirm his whereabouts.

    Oyedepo said: “I can say that the second defendant (Obla) is at large. I called the counsel representing him; he informed me that he could not reach Mr Obla.

    “The commission also took steps to contact him, but we discovered that he switched off his phone.

    “We were not expecting difficulties in producing him in court considering our gesture to him.”

    Only Ofili-Ajumogobia was arrested by EFCC operatives on Tuesday after the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja struck out a previous charge against her and Obla for lack of jurisdiction.

    “Before trial commences, we’ll do our best to produce him,” Oyedepo told Justice Aikawa.

    Read Also: Beware of car thieves’ new tricks, EFCC warns Nigerians

    He urged the court to issue summons for Obla and to allow Ajumogobia to take her plea alone.

    The court granted the prayer and the charges were read to Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    EFCC said she and Obla conspired on May 21, 2014, to indirectly conceal and retain N5million in the Diamond Bank account of Nigel & Colive Ltd.

    According to the commission, they “reasonably ought to have known that the money forms part of proceeds of unlawful act to wit: unlawful enrichment”.

    The alleged offence is contrary to sections 15 (2) (a) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15 (3).

    Ofili-Ajumogobia was also accused of indirectly concealing N12million in the same account despite knowing that it is a proceed of “unlawful enrichment”, contrary to Section (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

    The commission said she indirectly retained $150,000 in her account on May 30, 2013, knowing that it was a proceed of “unlawful enrichment”.

    EFCC said she further retained $20,000 on June 11, 2013; $30,000 on February 11, 2014; $50,000 on March 27, 2014; and another $150,000 on March 29, 2014 in the same Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) account.

    Further, the prosecution said she also illegally retained $70,000 on June 2, 2014; $55,000 on October 14, 2014; $50,000 on November 21, 2014; another $50,000 on December 20, 2014 and $30,000 between June 17 and 19, 2015.

    In Count 17, EFCC alleged that Ajumogobia, on or about June 5, 2012, indirectly retained N18million from Arkleen Oil and Gas Ltd in her account domiciled in Access Bank Plc.

    The commission said she also reasonably ought to have known that the money “forms part of proceeds of unlawful act to wit: unlawful enrichment…”

    In the last count, Ofili-Ajumogobia allegedly made a false statement to an officer that N33million was paid into her account for the purchase of a landed property on Rita Ajumogobia Street, Asaba, Delta State capital.

    The alleged offence of lying to an officer contravenes Section 39 (2) of the EFCC Act.

    After pleading not guilty to the 18-count charge, Ofili-Ajumogobia’s lawyer, Mr Wale Akoni (SAN), urged the court to grant her bail on self-congnisance.

    He said the defendant was a serving judicial officer and that she did not jump bail for once while on trial at the Lagos High Court.

    Oyedepo opposed the application on the basis that Ofili-Ajumogobia had been dismissed by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on corruption related offences.

    But Akoni said Ofili-Ajumogoba remains a judge until President Muhammadu Buhari ratifies the NJC decision.

    “What the NJC does is to recommend someone for dismissal in line with Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution. Until the President acts on the recommendation, she remains a judge. There is no evidence that the President has done so,” Akoni said.

    Ruling, Justice Aikawa held that Ofili-Ajumogobia was entitled to bail since the alleged offence was bailable.

    She granted her bail for N10million with one surety in like sum.

    The surety, said the judge, must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 16 in federal or state employment, and must own a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

    Justice Aikawa said the defendant should deposit her international passport with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar.

    He released Ofili-Ajumogobia to her lawyer pending when she perfects her bail conditions, which must be within the next seven working days.

    Justice Aikawa said he did so considering the public holidays.

    With regards to Obla, the judge ordered: “An order is hereby made for the issuance of summons compelling Mr. Godwin Obla (SAN) to appear before this court on the 15th of May 2019 for the purpose of trial.

    “The case is hereby adjourned for trial till the 15th of May, 2019.”

  • We’ll overcome terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, Buhari assures

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday assured the nation will overcome kidnappers, bandits and agents of insecurity.

    He lamented the spate of killings across the nation, promising his administration will stop at nothing to tackle them.

    Buhari, in his Easter message to Nigerians, said: “Our nation is currently gripped with gloom over unfortunate killings, kidnappings and violence, as seen in the recent tragic incidents in some states of the federation.

    “This should not be. We must reinforce the bond of brotherhood and good neighbourliness that citizens of a cohesive country must share.

    “We must not allow the few bad elements in our communities to put asunder our communal tendencies and chords of unity.

    I know from my regular interactions with security chiefs, state governors, victims and members of communities caught up in the unfortunate cycle of violence, that Nigerians are united against the evil minority.

    “This administration will do all it takes to adequately equip and motivate our armed forces and other law enforcement agencies to enable them successfully confront these security challenges.

    “We will not allow merchants of evil and death to overwhelm the nation. Under my watch, the nation will triumph over them – terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and the like.”

    He rejoiced with Christians over the Easter celebration, declaring it as “the most important feast in the Christian calendar and represents God’s redemptive mission over humanity, the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair and good over evil.

    Read Also: Don urges Nigerians to support Buhari

    “The Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a time to emulate the virtues of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, humility, courage and endurance, which Christ embodied and remarkably demonstrated during His earthly ministry.

    “Let us use this auspicious season to show love to our neighbours, and cater to the needs of the less-privileged in our midst.”

    He called for more prayers for “peace and security to return to all parts of the country,” urging Nigerians to look forward to “a brighter and greater future for the country when we do the right things in love. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

  • Kwara appoints Bologi new Etsu of Patigi

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has approved the appointment of Umar Ibrahim Bologi as the new Etsu of Patigi in the Patigi local government area of Kwara.

    The appointment was contained in a letter signed by Alhaji Saidu Habeeb, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development and addressed to the new monarch.

    The letter read: “I am directed to inform Your Highness that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 3 and 5 of Chief (Appointment and Deposition) Law Cap 9 – Law of Kwara State has approved your Appointment/Grading as 1st Class Chief with effect from April 16, 2019.

    Read Also: Seven dead in Kwara State road accident

    “It is expected that the appointment would enhance your performance in the discharge of your Royal responsibilities with greater commitment, loyalty and dedication.

    “Please accept my hearty congratulations while wishing you a peaceful and successful reign in your domain.”

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bologi, 38, succeeded his late father, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar, who died on March 19 after a brief illness.

    Until his appointment, he is an officer in the Nigerian Customs Service.

  • Breaking: Wike suspends 12 council chairmen

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Thursday announced the suspension of 12 Local Government Council chairmen for insubordination.

    The suspended Council Chairmen are:  Okrika,  Emohua,  Abua/Odual,  Degema, Khana, Gokana,  Ahoada East,  Ikwerre, Eleme, Andoni,  Omuma and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas.

    Read Also: APC to Wike: leave Amaechi alone

    Nwakudu said the affected Chairmen were sanctioned for failure to participate in state official functions, which were not mentioned.

    Details shortly…

     

  • Senate presidency: North-Central group backs Goje

    A North Central group under the auspices of North Central Alliance for Danjuma Goje has thrown its weight behind the Senator for the position Senate President in the 9th Assembly.

    This was disclosed by the Chairman of the group, Comrade Nasiru Isiyaku who addressed a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday.

    He argued that, “the intimidating profile of the Gombe Central Senator kept rising like one bright star in a million galaxies. Part of the release reads: Senator Goje, who is eminently qualified, has demonstrated to his constituents that providing good governance is not rocket science.

    “Senator Goje, as a faithful member of APC family in Gombe state, has since raised the bar of servant leadership. This, we can all see in the numerous youths empowerment programmes he launched, while also awarding contracts and solely financing the constructions of several beneficial infrastructural projects across his constituency.

    “Equally, Senator Goje, as the Chairman of various Senate Committees for eight years, doggedly fought to bridge the yawning gap in terms of employment and infrastructural distribution to various states and geo-political zones.

    “Furthermore, Senator Goje, who meritoriously served and is still serving as member of the Senate, has also sponsored numerous bills and motions on the floor of the Senate.

    “Aware of his humble background, Senator Goje is one that will definitely give priority attention to the enactment of sound laws to enhance the living standards’ of the masses. With him firmly on the saddle as Senate Presidency, we have a strong conviction that it will no longer be business as usual in the noble, yet arduous task of lawmaking,” Isiyaku said.

    Read Also: Senate presidency: Youths march for Goje

    He said the lawmaker’s credentials were good enough, having been governor for eight years between 2003 and 2011, and having been in the Senate since then.

    “The Position of Senate President requires administrative and parliamentary knowledge which Goje possesses.” He said.

    “Our party, APC is a party of the people and for us, Sen. Danjuma Goje, is the right man for the job. He has the required experience as a tested administrator and high ranking lawmaker.

    “He is a man of the people and a senator who has what it takes to carry others across party lines along.

    “He is a party man to the core and he fits perfectly into the next level agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ he said.

    “Being a third term ranking senator, he has the ability and capacity to lead the 9th Senate, effectively.

    “Considering his wealth of experience as a proven administrator and also the chairman of the Senate committee on appropriation he is conversant with rigours of the Senate.

    “Hence, if elected, he will serve as bridge builder considering the synergy that exist between him and his fellow senators and the even the executives by extension.”

    The group however said it has also perfected arrangements to mobilise a 2000 man march to the National Assembly very soon to press for its demand for election of Senator Danjuma Goje as the next Senate President.

  • CCT orders forfeiture of money in Onnoghen’s account

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal on Thursday ordered forfeiture of money not declared in the account of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    Delivering Judgment, Justice Danladi Umar, CCT chairman, found Onnoghen guilty on the six counts preferred against him by the federal government.

    Umar also banned Onnoghen from holding any public office for ten years.

    The CCT also ordered the removal of Onnoghen as CJN and as chairman National Judicial Council.

    NAN reports that Onnoghen, who was Nigeria’s 17th Chief Justice, was arraigned by the Code of Conduct Bureau, following a petition brought against him by a group, the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative, headed by a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Enugu State, Denis Aghanya.

    Onnoghen was charged on six counts, for allegedly failing to declare some of his accounts in the asset declaration form submitted to the CCB in December, 2016.

    According to the charge, Onnoghen also failed to declare his assets after the expiration of his declaration form filled in 2005.

    Read Also: Onnoghen’s resignation not enough – SANs

    NAN reports that Onnoghen’s trials started when a petition was filed by the civil rights group at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) alleging that he owns ” sundry accounts primarily funded through cash deposits made by himself up to as recently as Aug. 10, 2016, which appear to have been run in a manner inconsistent with financial transparency and the code of conduct for public officials.”

    The trial commenced on Jan, 14, 2019 at Code of Conduct Tribunal but Onnoghen was absent

    The case was then adjourned to the following week because Onnoghen faulted the summons procedure.

    The next hearing was slated for Jan. 22, 2019 but he failed to show up in court again.

    Following his absence again, President Muhammadu Buhari suspended him on Jan. 26 and appointed Tanko Ibrahim as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    NAN