Onnoghen’s trial is a legitimate prosecution, says APC

Yekini Nabena, deputy spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the fight against corruption is blind to ethnic and political sentiments.

Nabena was commenting on the threat by Niger Delta militants to “shut down” the country if the charges against Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), are not withdrawn.

Onnoghen, who is accused of false assets declaration, is from the Niger Delta region.

Nabena said instead of the threatening to shut down the country, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) should be allowed to look into the petition against the CJN.

He described the development as a “legitimate prosecution”.

The APC deputy spokesman said on Sunday: “The chief justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen has already confirmed inadvertent discrepancy in his asset declaration, although the law says ignorantia legis neminem excusat (meaning: ignorance of law excuses no one).

“The right and proper thing is to allow the CCT or any other empowered judicial body look at the allegation contained in the petition, consider justice Onnoghen’s defence and take a judicial decision.

“Resort to blackmail, ethnic coloration, inciting statements and threats to sabotage the country’s economic assets by the south-south leaders, Niger Delta agitators and south-south governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the legitimate prosecution must be condemned by all.

“They will be held responsible for any breakdown of the peace in the Niger Delta that has sustained since the advent of the President Muhammadu Buhari government.

“The fight against corruption and ensuring the rule of law is blind to ethnic, religious, social, economic and political standing of whoever is accused or indicted for breach of our laws.”

Nabena also said the CCT has jurisdiction to entertain the petition against Onnoghen.