Nigeria’s chief justice Walter Onnoghen has resigned with immediate effect, Nigeria’s ruling party confirmed on Friday.
Onnoghen turned in his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari more than a month after he had been suspended by the president on the eve of the general elections over allegations that he falsely declared his assets.
As head of the Supreme Court, Onnoghen could have ruled on any disputes relating to the election, which saw Buhari, win a second term in office.
Buhari then suspended and replaced him, prompting accusations of executive over-reach and even an attempted “coup” against the judiciary. Lawyers protested on the streets.
A request to remove the chief justice normally has to be approved with a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
Buhari expressed frustration that the Supreme Court had overturned a number of corruption convictions, including of some opposition politicians.
Further adding to claims the case was politically motivated was the initial complaint, which was made by a former spokesman for Buhari.
Onnoghen has since appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which rules on alleged breaches of ethics involving public officials.
The embattled judge denied the charges and this week closed his defence at the tribunal after calling one witness. Final submissions are due on April 25.
