The Buhari Media Organisation on Wednesday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau to pursue their cases against former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, to a logical conclusion, despite his recent resignation.
The organisation made the call in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by its Coordinator, Niyi Akinsiju, and the Secretary, Cassidy Madueke.
It lauded the EFCC, the CCB and the Code of Conduct Tribunal for not relenting on the case, despite alleged pressure by the former CJN and moves to subvert the process through technicalities.
It noted that the CCB remained consistent and dogged even when fake news and false media narratives tried to castigate its work.
While asking the organisations to continue Onnoghen’s case despite his resignation, the BMO said, “This would enable the suspended CJN to defend himself in a duly constituted court and give President Muhammadu Buhari enough reasons to justify his suspension if found guilty, rather than create room for opposition elements to suggest that Justice Onnoghen was forced out of office.
“It would also send a clear signal to other bad eggs in the judiciary about the Buhari administration’s readiness to clean the augean stable.”
The pro-Buhari group described Onnoghen’s resignation as another victory for the fight against corruption.
It said the development was also an endorsement of Buhari’s determination to cleanse the judiciary of corruption and bad eggs.
The group further described the resignation as a triumph of good over evil and a plus for the President’s fight against corruption.
It added, “Despite the delays, the games, the politicisation and the sentiments that were unfortunately thrown into the space , truth has prevailed in this matter.
“Justice Onnoghen’s resignation has affirmed that this was indeed not a witch-hunt, neither was it a political matter as the Peoples Democratic Party and indeed many naysayers had made it look like.
“This has also put to rest posters that questioned the evidence that was put forward with regards to the former CJN’s malfeasances, abuse of office and failure to declare his assets.
“It is, to all intents and purposes, a fitting starting point for a cleansing operation that will be the hallmark of President Buhari’s second term in office.”
The BMO alleged that the former CJN‘s resignation was long overdue.
“We are of the view that this resignation is not even honourable. It was long overdue.
“A man who, by his own admission, had stated that he breached provisions of the Code of Conduct by not declaring his assets as mandated by law, should have sent in his resignation months ago.
“But he gave opposition elements the opportunity to try to ridicule President Buhari as one who was out to emasculate the judiciary, so much so that the international community bought into the unfortunate lie.
“It was so bad that the UN Special rapporteur on independence of Judges and lawyers, Diego Garcia-Sayan issued a statement lambasting the Presidency based on the disinformation spread by the opposition in collaboration with their allies,” the statement added.
