Chief justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen denies rumours that he has tendered his resignation

JUSTICE Walter Onnoghen has denied recent news reports indicating that he has resigned his position as the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) in the face of his ongoing spat with the government over his alleged false asset declaration.

Over the last few weeks, Justice Onnoghen has been involved in intense political jockeying with the government that involved him being charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). About a fortnight ago, Justice Onnoghen was reportedly suspended from office over claims that he falsely declared his assets.

However, Justice Onnoghen challenged the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him and filed a motion to that effect. With several legal suits on the matter pending, it was reported yesterday that Justice Onnoghen had resigned his position to end the saga.

However, in a swift rebuttal Justice Onnoghen's spokesman Awassam Bassey, described the speculation as lies, which should be disregarded. Je issued a terse statement this morning on behalf of the CJN, saying that Justice Onnoghen remains at his duty post and is carrying out his constitutional functions

Mr Bassey said: “There’s absolutely no truth in the rumours making the round that the honourable chief justice of Nigeria, His Lordship, Hon Mr Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, has resigned his office. It is fake news

“The honourable CJN was in the office all through yesterday and sat in court. As part of his duties, the honourable CJN will be swearing in members of the 2019 National Assembly, governorship and state assembly election petition tribunals on Saturday 26th January 2019.”

Earlier this month, the Coalition of United Political Parties (Cupp) alleged that the government is secretly planning to arrest the chief justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen on Tuesday and replace him with Bauchi State-born Justice Tanko Mohammed. About 150 Senior Advocates of Nigeria have agreed to appear on behalf of Justice Onnoghen, claiming that the attend to prosecute him is an attack on the independence of the judiciary.

According to the Cupp, Justice Mohammed's brief will include setting up appeal panels to resolve the Rivers and Zamfara All Progressives Congress (APC) crisis in favour of the party and the other states where they fear they will lose elections including Akwa Ibom, Delta, Lagos, Benue, Imo, Kwara, Plateau, Kaduna, Abia and Sokoto states and also constitute a pro Buhari post-presidential election tribunal. Cupp spokesman Ugo Chinyere, said they want the world to know that Nigeria’s democracy is facing a clear and present danger.