Onnoghen: Presidency, NBA Reportedly Reach Truce Over Suspended CJN

If reports making the rounds are anything, the Presidency and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have reached a resolution over the suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Presidency and the NBA are said to have agreed to a six-point terms of resolution that will see Justice Onnoghen ceding his position without suffering embarrassment.

According to The Nation, a 12-man team of the NBA met with Osinbajo few days ago to seek what was described as a “soft-landing” for the embattled CJN.

The newspaper quoted an unnamed NBA source privy to details of the meeting as stating that Onnoghen may resign based on the six-point terms allegedly reached by Osinbajo and the NBA.

“I am aware that 12 of our leaders met with the Vice President, who is a senior member of the bar, on how to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the Judiciary. Some of them have briefed us that they went to the Villa to meet the VP.

“The meeting reviewed the issues which led to the suspension of Onnoghen, including the allegations against the CJN, the filing of charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, restraining orders by some courts and the ex parte order by the CCT.

“Our leaders restated the fact that they disagreed on the procedure adopted by the government in handling, Onnoghen matter. They virtually repeated the case presented at the CCT since some of them are Onnoghen’s lawyers. But they said the National Judicial Council (NJC) ought to have handled the matter.

“They also faulted the government for a allegedly trying to desecrate the Judiciary since Onnoghen symbolises the highest authority in this arm of government.

“At the end of the day, they sought for soft landing for the CJN who has no immunity under the 1999 Constitution.

“They also explained that it was wrong for the Acting CJN, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, to have made himself available for inauguration when a ruling of the Court of Appeal was being awaited.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “Well, we were told the VP who was with some unnamed people, accorded the NBA team utmost respect. They said he listened to them and assured them that President Muhammadu Buhari or himself will never do anything to destroy the Judiciary.

“The legal and moral burden on Onnoghen were mutually discussed at the session by both the NBA and the government team. It dawned on everybody from NBA that the minimum the government will accept is the resignation of Onnoghen.

“The NBA however sought a dignified exit for Onnoghen through either resignation or retirement without trial. They proposed that the Acting CJN should also proceed on retirement.”