An official from the presidency has faulted former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen’s claims about why he was sacked by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
Wuzup earlier published a report where Onneghen had claimed that his removal from office was fuelled by speculations that he had a meeting with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar (who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, preparatory to the 2019 general elections.
“There were rumours that I met with Atiku in Dubai. As I am talking here today, I have never met Atiku one on one in my life. As if that was not enough, I was also accused of setting free, high-profile criminals, whereas I seized to be a High Court Judge as far back as 1978,” he said.
Onnoghen also added that the president did not give him the opportunity to clear his name.
“In the Supreme Court, I did not sit alone. We sit in panels. In all these rumours and outright accusations, I was not given the opportunity to defend myself,” he bemoaned.
However, a close source in the presidency(anonymous) said there was no truth in Onnoghen’s claim on the reason behind his leaving office.
In a chat with The Punch, the source said the former CJN was duly charged and convicted.
He wondered if Onnoghen was indicting the same judicial system which he presided over.
The Presidency official said, “Recall that Onnoghen was charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and evidence was presented. He contested the evidence and he lost, then he was convicted.
“So, what is he saying? Is he faulting the same judicial system which he presided over?
“As far as I know, his claim of a rumoured meeting with Atiku in Dubai was not part of the issue before the CCT. So, why change the narrative at this time?” he said.
