UPDATED: Onnoghen: Dispute over presiding justice delays NJC meeting

The meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) commenced behind schedule over the dispute on who would preside over the meeting.

The meeting, which was initially scheduled to commence at 10am, dragged till noon over the decision on the chairman ex tempore.

Both the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and the acting CJN, Justice Tanko Mohammed were absent at the meeting.

Members of the council finally settled for Hon. Mr. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, former President of the Court of Appeal as Interim Chairman to preside over the meeting.

Journalists, who identified themselves, were barred from the gates of the NJC.

The NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye is expected to release a communique at the end of the meeting.

Editor’s Note: We had earlier reported that the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa presided over the meeting.