‘We are still investigating Onnoghen’ — Magu writes Buhari

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.”

TheCable could not reach Tony Orilade, acting spokesman of EFCC,  for reaction as of the time this report was filed.