Prof. Ernest Ojukwu Led Group of SANs Says 'Suspension of Ex-CJN Is Not Enough'

A group led by a 20-man Senior Advocates of Nigeria with the backing of the Justice Reform Project has stated that the ruling of the tribunal and the resignation of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen’s was not enough as they are advocating same verdict or stricter reforms in the judiciary and also the legal profession.

JRP says that the general public should disregard the notion that Justice Onnoghen’s travails are a mere witch-hunt motivated by ethnic and political interests as it is borne of a genuine concern to sanitize and reform the Nigerian judiciary.

The group is led by one of the candidates who lost during 2018 Nigerian Bar Association Presidential election, prof Ernest Ojukwu. Mr Ebun Sofunde. Jibrin Okutepa who is said to be the oldest SANs, Dr Babatunde Ajibade, Osaro Eghobamien, Mrs Funke Adekoya, Kayode Sofola, among others, are members.

The group is also calling on all legal practitioners to report any misappropriation of funds at any level to the adequate agency as this would help restore the confidence of the judiciary.

The group in their statement added that the revelations that have been made in the course of his trial necessitated urgent steps be taken to identify and sanction all other Nigerian judicial officers who are found to possess inexplicable wealth that cannot be reconciled with their legitimate income or their asset declarations which are two of the allegations made against Justice Onnoghen.