The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria on Wednesday urged the National Judicial Council and the Code of Conduct Tribunal to probe the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, over corruption allegations levelled against him by 14 serving Supreme court justices.
HURIWA in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said, “The NJC, the CCT and the National must swiftly probe the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad. The corruption allegations levelled against him are too weighty to be ignored considering the fact that these are allegations from Supreme Court justices.
“The matter should not be left for the Muhammad to resolve as he can’t be a judge in his own case since he is being accused of corruption. It is a big disappointment if those allegations are validated because of the fact that people who should uphold the law are not to break it with impunity. But of course, these are all mere allegations but merit thorough independent investigation.
Adding that his predecessor, Walter Onnoghen’s case was not taken lightly as the CJN and CCT swung to investigative acts which led to his removal, the group charged anti-graft agencies to apply the same pressure on Muhammad.
It said, “HURIWA calls on the NJC, the CCT, the National Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to probe Muhammad just as they all investigated his predecessor, Walter Onnoghen. This is what justice and equity means. There must be no sacred cows.”
No fewer than 14 serving Supreme court justices have protested their welfare and questioned the CJN the whereabouts of their funds.
Though Muhammad through his media aide had offered defence against the allegations, HURIWA demanded that the NJC and the CCT step in and probe the CJN for such weighty allegations.
