The last is yet to be heard of
the corruption allegations levelled against Walter Onnoghen, suspended chief
justice of Nigeria (CJN), as he is still under investigation.
Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said this in a letter to
President Muhammadu Buhari.
The letter with reference number
EFCC/EC/P/01, dated January 30, 2019, was titled, “Interim investigation
report: Alleged case of bribery, corruption and money laundering”.
Imo Ugochinyere, spokesman of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), made copies of the letter
available to reporters.
Magu said the investigation
commenced before Onnoghen’s appointment as the CJN but could not continue after
his appointment because of the commission’s inability to get his assets
declaration form from the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
He also said the inability of the
EFCC to invite Onnoghen for interview to grill him was a challenge, adding that
as a public figure, the EFCC did not want the investigation to be made public.
Magu said he wanted a special
investigation team be set up to carry out further investigation.
“For speedy investigation, a
special investigation team which will include lawyers and investigators will be
constituted to specifically investigate allegations levelled against the
suspect. The investigation is expected to be concluded within a short time
frame,” he wrote.
“There is need to get the Asset Declaration
Form of the suspect from the Code of Conduct Bureau for further investigation
and to determine his net worth.
“Invitation of all individuals
seen to have featured in his statements of account as having sent money to his
account or received.
“Invitation of other individuals
who paid money into the suspect’s Standard Chartered Bank account for
interview.
“Determination of the source and
mode of payments of the deposits into the SCB investment account held by the
suspect with the aim of unraveling the individuals/entities that have given
funds to the suspect over the years and expose his other sources of income.
“It is no doubt indicative of the
fact that the suspect must have been involved in bribery and corruption as well
as using some corporate entities in perpetrating his money laundering
activities.
“Your Excellency, investigation
is still ongoing and further developments will be communicated.”
Meanwhile, Ugochinyere said the
federal government is planning to arrest Onnoghen on Wednesday and forcing him
to resign.
He said this in a statement
issued late Tuesday.
“The secretariat of the CUPP has
uncovered the latest plot by the presidency to arrest the Chief Justice of
Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen tomorrow (Wednesday) being February 6, 2019
and immediately commence their final descent to infamy by forcing him to resign
at gunpoint,” the statement read.
“The latest recruit in this plot
against the CJN being the Chairman of the EFCC has been given the mandate to
execute this plot and has been told there would be no margin for error as the
CJN must resign from office or from life one way or the other.”
Tony
Orilade, acting spokesman of EFCC could not be reached for
reaction as of the time this report was filed.
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