Immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, cannot travel out of the country because he has been barred by the President, Muhammadu Buhari
According to Punch, the move may be part of a fresh probe into Onnoghen’s affairs. The former CJN was convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal in April, for not declaring his assets.
An internal report issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, which was read out to Punch correspondent by a top officer, stated that Onnoghen, his wife and daughter were attempting to travel to Accra, Ghana when they were accosted by immigration officers.
The report stated, “On November 11, 2019, retired Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, was attempting to travel to Accra, Ghana. He was in company with his wife, Nkoyo, and daughter.
“His passport, with number A50445233, was flagged because Justice Onnoghen’s name was on the watch list. The passport is currently in custody of the NIS.”
The senior officer told Punch that the passport seized from Onnoghen was not a diplomatic passport but the ordinary green passport and that the directive to seize Onnoghen’s passport came from the Nigerian Presidency.
“Justice Onnoghen will have to meet with the Presidency to know why his passport was seized. We are only following instructions,” the officer added.