The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Ibrahim Muhammad, has resigned a few days after a letter from 14 justices accusing him of gross misconduct was leaked.
Justice Muhammad’s resignation is to take urgent effect according to Supreme Court sources. Though the CJN is said to have resigned on health grounds, it is believed that his resignation has more to do with the allegations contained in the letter than his ill-health.
On June 19, the Nigerian media space became agog with the series of allegations contained in the letter, which casts further stench on the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary.
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The letter, among other things, alleges that despite improved budgetary allocation, the Supreme Court has been underfunded, with justices denied their entitlements and the Court left dilapidated. Among the things cited to have been affected by the underfunding are:
I. Justices accommodation,
II. Vehicles,
III. Electricity supply
IV. Supply of diesel,
V. Internet services to justices’ residences and chambers.
“My Lord The Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, we the entire Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, carefully reviewed the state of affairs in this Court and unanimously resolved to write formally and draw the attention of Your Lordship to our demands,” the letter began.
It then proceeded, citing other issues that were contained in the demands tabled in a meeting held previously between the CJN and the Supreme Court Justices, which the Chief Justice agreed to address. That includes the restoration of [justices] monthly Internet allowance, some Justices sworn on the 6th day of November 2020, and yet to be accommodated by the Court, the provision of qualified legal assistants and the poor state of health care in the Court. The letter said the Justice Ibrahim received and ignored the demands.
“At the meeting we also discussed training. In the past Justices were nominated to attend two to three foreign workshops and trainings per annum with an accompanying person for reasons of age.
“Since Your Lordship’s assumption of office Justices only attended, two workshops in Dubai and Zanzibar. They were not accorded the privilege of travelling with accompanying persons as was the practice. Your Lordship totally ignored
this demand and yet travelled with your spouse, children and personal staff.
“We DEMAND to know what has become of our training funds, have they been diverted, or is it a plain denial? Your Lordship may also remember that the National Assembly has increased the budgetary allocation of the Judiciary. We find it strange that in spite of the upward review of our budgetary allocation, the Court cannot cater for our legitimate entitlements. This is unacceptable!” the letter said.
At the height of this allegations is the mismanagement of fund, which the Justices said has hampered the functions of the Court and impacted the administration of justice. Concluding their letter, the 14 Justices had threatened to take decisive action if the CJN does not address the issues mentioned urgently.
“Your Lordship, this is a wakeup call. Your Lordship must take full responsibility as our leader. You must not concession your responsibility to people who have no responsibility or stake in preserving and defending the dignity of the Institution. Your Lordship occupies a position of leadership.
“We will not wait for the total collapse of the institution. We must not abandon our responsibility to call Your Lordship to order in the face of these sad developments that threaten our survival as an institution. We have done our utmost best to send a wakeup call to Your Lordship. A stich in time saves nine.
“Finally, Your Lordship the choice is now yours. It is either you quickly and swiftly take responsibility and address these burning issues or we will be compelled to further steps immediately. May this day never come,” the letter concluded.
Based on this hefty allegations and the fact that his health is deteriorating, the resignation of Justice Muhammad, whose emergence as the CJN in 2019, was riddled with controversy, did not come as a surprise. The CJN was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari after Nigeria’s secret service, the DSS, in a move widely discribed as ‘defenestration,’ raided the home of the former Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen, on allegations of malfeasance. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the court.
Justice Muhammad’s appointment as the CJN was criticized, mainly due to the events leading to his emergence and because he was seen as unqualified to oversee the affairs of the Nigerian Supreme Court. Under his watch, the apex court delivered one of the most controversial judgments in Nigeria’s history.
A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Muhammad, had in January 2020, nullified the election of former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and declared Hope Uzodinma of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), who came fourth during the election, the winner.