A cross-section of Nigerians has reacted after the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, banned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen, from holding public office for 10 years.
CCT, in its judgment over alleged non-asset declaration against Onnoghen, also removed him from office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, NJC.
Chairman of CCT, Danladi Umar, also confiscated, seized and order the forfeiture of all Onnoghen’s monies deposited in his Standard Chartered Bank accounts located in Wuse 2, Abuja.
Umar said the monies in the affected five bank accounts were acquired illegally particularly as Onnoghen was said not to have proven his source of income for the seized monies beyond all reasonable doubts.
However, Nigerians, who took to their Twitter handles, expressed their views thus:
@TheBogeyMan: “Congratulations Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen has been tried and sentenced. Even if all this was orchestrated,it has set a good precedence,no office is above the law. It’s Onnoghen turn today. Now can we now focus on recovering the mandate @MBuhari stole from Nigerians #AtikuIsComing.”
@Ade_Nurayn: “The CCT has found the suspended CJN, Walter Onnoghen guilty. All his 5 undeclared accounts are to be forfeited to the Federal Government. Where are our baby twitter lawyers that insulted us because of Onnoghen?”
@KazeemSalman: “Ex CJN Walter Onnoghen has no doubt tarnished the image of the Nigerian judiciary system in all ramifications.”
@willintune: “Nigeria’s suspended Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen found guilty of failing to declare his assets + has been barred from holding a public office for 10 years. His suspension in Jan led to accusations that Pres Buhari was meddling with the judiciary in case of an election challenge.”
@rootstvnigeria: “5 Questions Nigerians Are Asking After Walter Onnoghen’s Conviction
“1. B. Lawal, A. A Maina, when will they have their days in courts?
“2. Danladi Umar has a case in court brought against him by EFCC, can judgement come as quick?
“3. How many more very senior judiciary officials have their hands stained?
“4. how many court rulings could have been influenced by bribery $ corrupt enrichment?
“5. Is there more to Walter Onnoghen’s conviction than meets the eye?”@DacapableAyo: “The Conviction of CJN Walter Onnoghen has got to be the best news on corruption so far in Nigeria. Finally, a standard has been set.”
@collinsatos: “CJN Justice Walter Onnoghen convicted and banned from holding public office for 10 years, but the dullard of daura has not been able to provide his WAEC Certificate but many certificate holders are defending him. Miserable shithole country called Nigeria.”
@Simplyolaedache: “Discipline should start from Judiciary, with the kind of remuneration& respect they earned, I think they should lead the fighting of this menace called corruption that has entered our blood which is seriously dragging us backward. “Code of Conduct Tribunal” Walter Onnoghen.”
@Allyoyedokungm1: “Now that Walter Onnoghen has been found guilty, he should face maximum penalty for breaking the law for which he was the chief superintendent.”
@d_problemsolver: “Yes I am in a position where I have access to funds, I’m just want to enrich myself and have enough for my children and their unborn children.”
“Take a look at the face of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.
“Now everything is gone, including his integrity!”
@asimibi: “There is a lesson to learn from the case of the convicted CJN Walter Onnoghen, especially the believe that “I WILL GET AWAY WHEN IT GOES WRONG”.
The system in Nigeria may not be transparent enough but there are many Onnoghen and the likes of Onnoghen in our public sector.”@dipootukoya: “The same Walter Onnoghen Nigerians bashed PMB for has been convicted by the CCT. The law has taken its place. We move on!”
