The Federal Government has asked the Director, Nigerian Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU) to freeze the five bank accounts linked to embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), in the charge it filed against the CJN before the Code of Conduct tribunal (CCT) for which he was to be arraigned on January 14, accused the Onnghen of failing to declare the accounts.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,  made the request in a letter, written on the official letterhead paper of the AGF, but signed by Abiodun Aikomo and dated January 14, 2019.

According to the Nation, the office of the NFIU received the letter on the same date. In the letter, the AGF directed that the accounts be frozen pending the conclusion of the charge before the CCT.

The letter has as its heading:

“Re: Request for freezing of bank accounts subject to investigation and prosecution pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No: 6 of5th July 2018 on the Preservation of Assets Connected with Corruption.”

The letter read in part,

“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).”