The ongoing meeting of the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) may take longer than expected, according to findings by BusinessDay.
The meeting which started shortly after 10am, is predicted to be a straight talk between supporters of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and those who want him to step aside.
However, it is still in the speculative realm if Onnoghen or the acting CJN, Ibrahim Muhammad is in the meeting.
But another bone of contention that may arise during the meeting, is who chair the meeting on the absence of Onnighen or the acting CJN.?
The line will be between the President Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa and the third most senior Supreme Court judge, Justice Bode Vivour-Rhodes.
Though, a source said, that is not a problem, as members may decide to elect one of them to preside over the meeting.
Meanwhile, a lawyer who prefers to remain an anonymous , said the outcome of the meeting will be a nullity as the Constitution is very clear on who calls and chairs the council’s mertings.
According to him, the CJN is constitutionally invested with the mandate to call the meetings and also presides.
He questioned the credibility of the meeting and its outcome, saying it may not have any binding effect.
“What ever comes out of that meeting will be subjected to test of the Constitution. This is because the country’s Constitution invested so much power in the CJN. So, who exercises those powers. All the hype about the meeting may as well be anti-corruption,” he said.
Efforts to contact NJC spokesman, Soji Oye, was abortive. He was said to be in meeting with members of NJC.
