Walter Onnoghen, embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has resigned from his position.
Mr Onnoghen, accused of not declaring some assets traced to him, stepped down on Thursday evening months after being called upon to do so.
However, this did not happen until a recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to President Muhammadu Buhari suggesting his compulsorily retirement for the alleged misconduct.
POLITICS TIMES gathered that the action of Onnoghen, who is expected to retire by 2020, might also be viewed as a step not to miss the entitlements due to him as a public servant if he was dismissed, even though the president will need a two-third majority of lawmakers at the upper legislative chamber to oust him, a task Buhari might not achieve with the present 8th Senate.
TheCable who first reported the development said the top jurist bowed out in a resignation letter addressed to Mr Buhari, whose party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) had joined in calling for his removal from office.
The news medium said he is entitled to a N2.5 billion cash, a house for him in Abuja, N100 million for furnishing, a number of domestic staff and sundry allowances for personal upkeep — in addition to a severance gratuity that is 300% of his annual basic salary of N3,363,972.50, as well as pension for life.
Onnoghen is facing a six count charge of non-declaration of assets slammed on him by the federal government led by Buhari.
He recently closed his defense at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) with judgement expected to be delivered on April 15.
