Onnoghen’s trial saddening but shows nobody is above the law, says Itse Sagay

*SAN says by CJN’s prosecution, Nigeria becoming nation of laws

The no-nonsense Professor of Law said non-declaration of assets and money laundering trials of the nation’s chief judicial officer show that no one is above the law.  Sagay, in a media interview, said although the prosecution of the CJN was saddening, it had shown that Nigeria was slowly becoming a nation of laws.

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has spoken on the prosecution of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, which is about to happen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The no-nonsense Professor of Law said non-declaration of assets and money laundering trials of the nation’s chief judicial officer show that no one is above the law.

Sagay, in a media interview, said although the prosecution of the CJN was saddening, it had shown that Nigeria was slowly becoming a nation of laws.

The senior advocate also responded to the arraignment of the President of the NBA, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), last year.

The PACAC chairman said, “It shows that in Nigeria, nobody is above the law. I do not rejoice neither am I pleased that such high officials are being probed or investigated but it shows that in Nigeria, the law is working and that the rule of law operates and that no one is higher than the law.

“That is the good aspect of it. Otherwise, I am not happy about it but if the reason arises why they should be investigated or invited and they are invited, it shows that the Nigerian legal system is working and that the rule of law operates but if it is you or I, you know that automatically, we will be indicted; but when the bigger guns in the country, who have all the power are also being indicted, it means it is a good sign for the rule of law in Nigeria.”

When reminded of the fact that the CJN would be arraigned before Danladi Umar of the CCT, who has also been accused of corruption, Sagay said the Federal Government had no other option.

He said, “I see a point. It is a sad reflection on the state of corruption in Nigeria but I think at the end of the day, everybody will come to justice and we will have a clean slate. This is the best we can do now.”