FREEZING OF CJN'S ACCOUNT: SIGN OF A FAILED STATE

Where else in the world can this kind of despicable, despotic and dastardly act be carried out except in Nigeria? If for real, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has acted on the letter of the Attorney General of the Federation, then we have returned to the dictorial,  draconian and dark days of the military rule.

"I am directed by Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to request that you, pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order No. 6 of 2018, forthwith restrict normal banking operations on certain accounts belonging to Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT/ABJ/1/19,” a letter signed by Abiodun Aikomo on behalf of Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation read.

Five bank accounts are to be frozen: four of them were opened with Standard Chartered Bank, one each for Pound Sterling, dollar Euro and Naira.

The letter did not state where the fifth account, a Naira account, is domiciled.


The restriction order was contained in a letter with reference number HAGF/2019/E06/Vol.01, by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), dated January 14, 2019 and addressed to the Director, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

Has a court order been obtained? Has the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen be arraigned? Does our judicial system no longer assumes a person innocent except otherwise proven guilty by a competent court of justice? Where are we heading?

Admitted! Nobody is above the law. Let the proper processes or procedures be followed in the trial of any citizen of this country.

Freezing the CJN'S financial accounts is a clear case of victimisation and contamination of the judicial system of our country.

If same energy & haste were applied in eliminating the Boko haram menance, extinguishing hunger & unemployment which currently plague our country land, the Buhari led federal government would have recorded much successes.

Again, the current strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, rescuing of Leah Sharibu, other Chibok and Dapchi school girls as well  as signing of the electoral bill are matters that should kidnap the attention of any well meaning government and not chasing perceived enemies.

If the CJN's account has been frozen has reported in many quarters, this singular action sign posts this nation as a failed state.