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NBA Reacts to Charges against CJN Onnoghen, Says Assault, Intimidation and Desecration of the Judiciary Must Stop

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7 years ago

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By Eric Elezuo

The Nigeria Bar Association has lent his weight to the avalanche of condemnations trailing the charges against the Chief Judge of Nigeria, Mr. Walter Onnoghen, and his proposed arraignment by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday, January 14, 2019 in Abuja.

Speaking through a statement titled Executive Assault on the Judiciary, with the theme: Assault, Intimidation and Desecration of the Judiciary must Stop, released and signed by its President, Mr. Paul Usoro, the NBA unequivocally “condemns this assault, intimidation and desecration of the Judiciary by FGN agencies and demands that it be stopped immediately.”

Making reference to precedence such as Nganjiwa v Federal Republic of Nigeria (2017) LPELR-43391(CA), where it noted that the “Court of Appeal made it very clear that any misconduct attached to the office and functions of a judicial officer must first be reported to and handled by the National Judicial Council (“NJC”) pursuant to the provisions of our laws. Only after the NJC has pronounced against such judicial officer can the prosecuting agencies of the Federal Government proceed against him, ” and wondered why the Federal Government has suddenly deviated from the known norms.

It therefore, posited questions, some of which are:

  1. Why has FGN decided to embark on this anomalous course of charging the CJN before the CCT without first presenting whatever facts it purportedly has against His Lordship to the NJC for its deliberation and determination?
  2. Could it be that it was misadvised?
  3. Or is this a naked show of power and force by agencies of the FGN?
  4. And why embark on the media trial of the CJN?
  5. Could it possibly be a coincidence that the current assault on the judiciary is taking place only weeks to the 2019 National Election?

The statement drew a parallel between the travails of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in the custody of CCT and the present case of the CJN, concluding that the FG is out to silence the other arms of government.

The NBA warned that the Federal Government and its agencies must desist from debasing the rule of law, and demand that the CCB follow due process in proceeding against the CJN by complying with Nganjiwa’s Judgment (supra) and other similar judicial precedents.

“This continuing attack on the justice sector must cease forthwith,” the statement concluded.

Below is the Full Statement of the NBA:

Executive Assault on Judiciary 120119 v.2-1

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Mike Adenuga, Emmanuel Macron Hold High-Powered Meeting in Paris

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10 hours ago

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December 18, 2025

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Accomplished billionaire businessman and Commander of the French Légion d’Honneur, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, CdrLH, has held a private meeting with the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

The two powerful citizens of the world held the meeting on Wednesday at the historic Élysée Palace in Paris.

The high-level engagement underscores the longstanding relationship between Dr. Adenuga and the French Republic, as well as his continued relevance in global business and diplomatic circles. 

A respected industrialist and philanthropist, Adenuga has been widely acknowledged for his contributions to economic development, telecommunications, energy, and humanitarian causes across Africa and beyond.

The meeting adds to Dr. Adenuga’s growing profile as a bridge between African enterprise and international leadership.

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Free at Last: Burkina Faso Releases 11 Nigerian Soldiers, Aircraft

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10 hours ago

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December 18, 2025

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Burkina Faso has released Nigerian soldiers who were detained after their aircraft made a forced landing in the Sahelian country earlier this month, Nigerian officials said.

The release followed a diplomatic intervention by President Bola Tinubu, who dispatched a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to meet Burkina Faso’s Military Leader, Ibrahim Traoré, on Wednesday.

In a statement, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s spokesperson, said both sides resolved the matter amicably and secured the release of the Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew.

The soldiers had been held for nearly two weeks after the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) described the aircraft’s landing as an “unfriendly act” carried out in defiance of international law.

The Nigerian Air Force, however, said the crew encountered a technical issue that required a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, the nearest available airfield. It said the landing complied with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.

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Corruption Allegations: NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Meets Tinubu, Resigns

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23 hours ago

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December 17, 2025

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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has resigned following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu amid corruption allegations.

Tinubu, on Wednesday, summoned Ahmed to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following allegations of economic sabotage and corruption.

Also caught in the web of resignation was the CEO of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, according to a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.

Tinubu was said to have nominated successors to the senate for approval.

“Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nominations of two new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),” the statement reads.

“The requests followed the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC.

“Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.”

Onanuga said the two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.

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