Embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen last night turned in his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari. 

His resignation as the nation’s Number One judge and Nigeria’s Number Five citizen is with immediate effect, Kristina Reports has learnt.

His resignation letter is coming a day after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended that he be compulsorily retired for misconduct.

By virtue of section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, his resignation takes immediate effect.

Section 306 says “(1) Save as otherwise provided in this section, any person who is appointed, elected or otherwise selected to any office established by this Constitution may resign from that office by writing under his hand addressed to the authority or person by whom he was appointed, elected or selected. (2) The resignation of any person from any office established by this Constitution shall take effect when the writing signifying the resignation is received by the authority or person to whom it is addressed or by any person authorised by that authority or person to receive it.”

The resignation, it seems was the “best possible option” for Onnoghen under the current circumstance.

It will also save Buhari from having to get two-thirds majority of the Senate to confirm Onnoghen’s retirement as stipulated in Section 292 (1) of the 1999 constitution which says a “judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances – (a) in the case of – (i) Chief Justice of Nigeria… by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.” 

Kristina Reports learnt from reliable sources that Onnoghen got hint of moves by the Presidency to go the whole distance of humiliating him since he refused to resigned initially. 

First action was the already determined conviction awaiting him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal where he was being tried for non declaration of assets. 

A reliable source hinted Kristina Reports that someone dropped a hint of the CCT’s decision to Onnoghen’s lead lawyer, Uche Kalu, SAN, which prompted his defence team to abruptly close their defence and asking for two weeks to present their address. 

The former CJN’s legal team had to review the situation and advise him to throw in the towel as it was an already lost case, informing him of what he stands to lose upon conviction. 

They also considered the recommendation of the NJC and the ongoing negotiations with the Presidency for softlanding, enjoining him not to jeopardize the process. 

The source noted that “a CCT conviction, NJC recommended retirement, and jail time from EFCC prosecution, among other troubles would be too much for a man his age. It was not surprising then hearing of hos resignation”.