Why Ex-CJN Tanko Should Be Arrested

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been told to arrest former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad immediately.

‘Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has stated that the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, is not enough, to clear him of the corruption allegation leveled against him by the 14 justices of the supreme court, as it calls for Muhammad’s arrest.

This was 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 Tanko and alleged diversion of their welfare funds.

Before his resignation, Tanko denied the allegations, but HURIWA, which had earlier asked the National Judicial Council and the Code of Conduct Tribunal to probe him over the weighty allegations by the justices, maintained that the retired CJN must not be allowed to walk away freely.

President Muhammadu Buhari has since sworn in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

And reacting to the development, HURIWA’s Onwubiko applauded the swift action of the President to have sworn in Ariwoola as the acting CJN.

He, however, 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 action is ascertained, then arrest and prosecute him over the corruption allegations leveled 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 were 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.”