Submit Petitions Against Corrupt Judges To NJC, CJN Tells Nigerians

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has asked Nigerians to petition any judicial officer involved in corruption or any form of unprofessional conduct in any part of the country to the National Judicial Council, NJC.

The CJN, who by virtue of his position, heads the NJC, which has disciplinary powers over judges, also warned politicians to desist from using the mass media to smear the image of the nation’s judiciary and that of hardworking and honest judicial officers.

A statement by his media aide, Mr. Awassam Bassey, disclosed that the CJN was provoked by a publication in a national daily, on May 20, entitled: “Anambra Central: Judiciary Robbed Me of My Mandate – Ekwunife.” 

The statement read:
“The interviewee, Senator Uche Ekwunife, accused the judiciary of robbing her of her mandate in the 2015 Anambra Central Senatorial Election through nullification.” Justice Onnoghen stressed that Nigerians should learn to take advantage of institutions that have been established to handle allegations of corruption and unprofessional conduct by judicial officers, including cases of judicial fraud which he said the Senator cited as the reason for the loss of her mandate in the law courts.

“The Honourable Chief Justice advises against individuals dragging the name of the judiciary in the mud through unsubstantiated allegations in the mass media and advises such individuals to employ well-established institutions and avenues to petition any judicial officer who engages in corruption and unprofessional conduct. “Therefore, in the interest of the generality of Nigerians, and the on-going war against corruption, the Chief Justice of Nigeria calls on Senator Ekwunife to petition the judges she accuses of corruption and unprofessional conduct.

“The Hon CJN assures Nigerians that if anyone has evidence against any corrupt judicial officer, and such a person brings forward the necessary documents before the National Judicial Council, the concerned judicial officer or officers will be investigated and where found liable, dealt with in accordance with the law.

“At the same time, the CJN wishes to use this medium to warn politicians to desist from using the mass media to smear the good image of the nation’s judiciary in general, and the hardworking and honest judicial officers in particular.”