Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad.
According to the group, Muhammad’s resignation is not enough to clear him of corruption allegations levelled against him by the 14 justices of the Supreme Court.
This comes after Muhammad resigned as the CJN on Monday, citing health issues.
In a statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s national coordinator, the group reminded Nigerians that 14 Supreme Court justices had recently petitioned Muhammad and alleged diversion of their welfare funds.
Prior to his resignation, Tanko had denied the allegations, however, HURIWA, which had earlier asked the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to probe him over the weighty allegations by the justices, maintained that the retired CJN must not be allowed to walk away freely.
Speaking on the issue, Onwubiko said, “The resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria is not enough; the EFCC and the ICPC must swing into action, investigate, then if a cause of acton is ascertained, then arrest and prosecute him over the corruption allegations levelled against him by the 14 justices of the Supreme Court if a prima facie evidence exists.
“Justice Tanko must be prosecuted just as his predecessor, Walter Onnoghen, who was probed and later removed on a controversial note following some allegations against him which was probed by both the NJC and the CCT.
“The investigation and probable prosecution of Tanko, if indicted, will set a precedent that Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade is not a joke unless it is a joke.”
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