Walter Onnoghen, embattled chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), delivered his letter of resignation through some supreme court justices, and not in person, the News Agency of Nigeria has reported.
The former CJN tendered his resignation to President Buhari on Thursday.
Quoting sources, NAN said the letter was submitted to Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president, by some judges of the supreme court.
The agency said the letter got to Aso Rock at the time the president had departed the country to participate in the World Economic Forum holding in Jordan.
NJC had recommended Onnoghen for compulsory retirement after deliberating on a petition by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which alleged “financial impropriety, infidelity to the constitution and other economic and financial crimes related laws”.
Onnoghen, who denied all allegations, is also undergoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
He has closed his defence at the CCT and the tribunal is expected to give its judgment at its next sitting on April 15.
Onnoghen, 69, was born in Kruiku town, Biase local government area of Cross River state.
He got his Law degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1977 before his BL certificate at the Nigerian Law School in 1978.
He started his career as a Pupil State Counsel at the Lagos state ministry of justice in 1979, after which he ventured into private practice.
He was billed to resign on December 22, 2020, upon the attainment of the age of 70.
With NAN report
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