The Opposition Coalition, CUPP, has raised alarm over an alleged plan by the National Judicial Council, NJC, to forcefully retire suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen.
Alleging that the Acting Chairman of the NJC Justice Umaru Abdullahi (Rtd) has been compromised, CUPP also claimed that members of the NJC who have refused to be compromised have been threatened that they will face “the government music.”
In a statement issued by the 1st National Spokesman CUPP, Imo Ugochinyere, Sunday evening, the group said that Abdullahi should step aside for compromising the meeting and decisions of the NJC and receiving a draft copy of resolution from the Presidential Villa.
The NJC will reconvene on Monday, February 11.
Read the full text of the statement below:
The CUPP has been availed a copy of the purported draft resolution of the National Judicial Council handed down to the Acting Chairman of the Council (Justice Umaru Abdullahi Rtd from Katsina State, Former President of Appeal Court and Buharis former Classmate) for possible adoption at the end of the meeting of the council tomorrow.
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The compromised draft resolution contains the decisions that the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen be forcefully retired while the usurper of his office Justice Tanko Mohammed be confirmed and his name recommended to the President for confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria. It also contains the defence for Justice Tanko Mohammed that as at the time he made himself available in the Villa to be sworn in as Acting CJN did not have much of a choice as security operatives were detailed to bring him to the Villa on his way form the Mosque and he was only told why he was brought to the Villa when he was already in the Council Chambers.
The Acting Chairman of the NJC Justice Umaru Abdullahi (Rtd) has already sealed a deal with the Presidency, has received the draft resolution and has already commenced his role of persuading members of the NJC to support the government and adopt the resolution. Justice Umaru Abdullahi who happens to come from Katsina State and was also a classmate of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Katsina Government Secondary School has reached certain understanding with the Presidency. Nigerians will recall that this same Umaru Abdullahi was one of the first Persons recruited by President Muhammadu Buhari to defend his controversial Certificate sage by claiming that Buhari wrote the WAEC exam.
The members of the NJC who have refused to be compromised have been promised that they will face the government music. At least couple of the NJC members has been told that they can only say NO if they are sure nothing can be found on them otherwise they should comply.
Justice Umaru Abdullahi is completely compromised and should step aside for compromising the meeting and decisions of the NJC and receiving a draft copy of resolution from the Presidential Villa. The precedent of the decision of the NJC as was used in the case of Abia State has been excused and Justice Tanko Mohammed absolved of any collaboration with the Executive to violate the constitution. The bridge of the NJC and the entire judiciary is at the brink of falling. We shall continue to do all within the ambits of the law to defend our constitutional democracy and we must not wary.
