Following the allegations on non-assets declaration slammed by the Federal Government of Nigeria against the Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has asked the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit’s director to freeze the Chief Justice Onnoghen’s five accounts. This was disclosed in a letter the ministry of Justice issued on January 14, and received same day by office of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
Justice Onnoghen was accused by The Code of Conduct Bureau for failure to declare his accounts.
The letter issued from the Attorney-General’s office, and signed by Abiodun Aikomo requesting the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit ‘s director to freeze the five accounts belonging to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, reads as follows:
“Re: Request for freezing of bank accounts subject to investigation and prosecution pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No: 6 of 5th July 2018 on the Preservation of Assets Connected with Corruption.
“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 Executive Order 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 – Federal Republic of Nigeria v Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen Nkanu Walter Samuel.
“These accounts are: Account number 5001062683 (euro) Standard Chartered Bank; 5001062683 (pounds); 0001062650 (dollar); 0010626667 (naira), and 5001062683 (naira).”