EFCC vs. Onnoghen: Counsel tasks NJC on integrity of judiciary, judicial officers
Counsel to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged National Judicial Council (NJC) to create a precedent that would have lasting impacts on the integrity of the judiciary and judicial officers in Nigeria.
This was the Petitioner’s final address to the NJC on Justice Onnoghen in the National Judicial Council Holden at Abuja between the Commission and Justice Walter Onnoghen in respect of petition on financial impropriety, infidelity to the Constitution and other Economic and Financial Crimes Related Laws against the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Ekele Iheanacho Esq, and Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa Esq., Counsel to the Petitioner in their submission remarked that opportunity has presented itself for the Honourable Panel to create a precedent that will have lasting impacts on the integrity of the judiciary and judicial officers in the country.
The Counsel noted the precedents that are about to create are whether under the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officer, a serving judicial officer “Is permitted to receive pecuniary gifts from lawyer who may appear before him/her, or as well as is permitted to disrespect, disobey and infringe penal statutes and whether such infringement is not misconduct under the Code.
“Whether a serving judge who is in possession of pecuniary resources or property which is disproportionate to his known source of income and who failed to provide credible evidence on the legitimate source of such pecuniary resources or property, is fit and proper to continue to be on the bench.
“Whether a serving judge who failed to avoid impropriety and appearance of financial impropriety is fit and proper to continue to be on the bench.
“Whether a judicial officer who failed to avoid social relationships that had given rise to an appearance of impropriety is fit to remain on the bench.
“Whether a judicial officer who failed to observe, protect and obey the Constitutional provisions and the Law of the land is fit to remain on the bench.
“Whether the enforcement and the applicability of an Act of National Assembly such as Money Laundering Prohibition,2011 as Amended, ICPC Act, Penal Code, Code of Conduct for Public Officer etc can be suspended by mere practice and convention of the management staff of Supreme Court.
“My lords, by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, members of the public expects a high standard of conduct from a Judge who at all time must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all his activities both in his professional and private life.
“It is therefore our humble submission that in view of the evidence before this Honourable Panel the petitioner has established the breach of the Code of Conducts for Judicial Officers against the Respondent and we urge my lords to so hold.”
