JUST IN: NJC Issues Fresh Query To Acting CJN

*Gives him 7 days to respond
*Sets up 5-man panel to further probe allegations against Onnoghen,
Muhammad

The National Judicial Council ( NJC ) rose again from its
meeting on Wednesday and resolved to direct the Acting Chief
Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad to respond
within seven days, to a fresh petition written against him by the
Action People’s Party (APP).

The NJC also elected to set up a five-man investigation
committee to further look examine the allegations against the
suspended CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen and Muhammad. The committee
is headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice S. A.
Akintan.

It was learnt that all the members of the new committee are
members of the NJC.

A statement issued by NJC’s spokesman, Soji Oye reads: “In
continuation of its Emergency Meeting, the National Judicial
Council accepted the result of the preliminary assessment of the
petitions against Hon. Mr. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON and Hon.
Mr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR that the petitions were worthy of
further investigation and should not be terminated under Rule 17 of
the Judicial Discipline Regulations of the Council.

“Consequently, the council constituted a five-member
Investigation Committee pursuant to Rule 20 (1) of the Judicial
Discipline Regulations under the Chairmanship of Hon. Mr. Justice
S. A. Akintan, CON, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of
Nigeria.

“A new petition against Hon. Mr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR, by
the Action People’s Party (APP) was referred to the Hon. Mr.
Justice for his comments within an abridged 7-days.

“Council directed the Investigation Committee to work
expeditiously, determine all the petitions and responses and report
to Council for a final decision.”