The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has demanded the prosecution of Justice Muhammad Tanko following his resignation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
In a press statement issued by the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group demanded the immediate arrest, investigation and if possible the prosecution of the retired CJN by the Economic and Financial Crime commission.
Premium Politics earlier reported that 14 Supreme Court Justices recently petitioned Tanko and accused him of diverting funds meant for them.
HURIWA stated, “The resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria is not enough; the EFCC and the ICPC must swing into action, investigate then if a cause if acton is ascertained, then arrest and prosecute him over the corruption allegations levelled against him by the 14 justices of the Supreme Court if a prima facie evidence exists.
“Justice Tanko must be prosecuted just as his predecessor, Walter Onnoghen, who was probed and later removed on a controversial note following some allegations against him which were probed by both the NJC and the CCT.”
“The investigation and probable prosecution of Tanko if indicted will set a precedent that Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade is not a joke unless it is a joke. Tanko’s prosecution if found culpable of those sets of allegations will also serve as deterrent for any proven corrupt justices that the judiciary won’t be a haven for scoundrels,” the group noted.
