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How I paid $30,000 into Onnoghen’s domiciliary account, Agi opens up
AS controversies continue to trail the inability of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, in declaring his complete bank account in his assets declaration form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon his appointment as CJN, a lawyer and former Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Cross River State, Joe Agi, SAN has said he particularly deposited the sum of $30,000 for Onnoghen.
Onnoghen Justice Onnoghen This was even as he alleged that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, and those he described as a cabal were after him because he (Agi) did not only expose them but also secured the refund of the fraudulent deduction of $3,18 billion from local governments account by the Federal Government in the Paris Club fund.
His explanation came amidst his recent arraignment by the federal government for allegedly bribing the suspended CJN with the amount for a favourable judgment. The legal luminary, explained the role he played in the suspended CJN’s domiciliary account in a statement he sent to Vanguard, Wednesday, following accusation of bribing Onnoghen with the money for a favourable judgement. Agi said he deposited the money in the suspended CJN’s domiciliary account having collected the money for such purpose from Onnoghen, whom he said, was not aware such account existed nor knew how to open and operate it.
He said in the statement: “In the year 2009, I brought to his knowledge that he can open a domiciliary account instead of travelling with cash from Nigeria to abroad on seminars, holidays, conferences or medical trips. “My Lord Justice Onnoghen said he had no idea since the opening of foreign account was forbidden for Public Officers.
I informed him that domiciliary account is not a foreign bank account as it is opened and operated within the local banks in Nigeria. “It was on this note that I went to my banker and obtained Account Opening Forms for him as a friend and senior brother. “He completed the forms and I refereed him. He gave me $30,000, being left over of his allowances for overseas seminars, holidays, conferences or medical trips to deposit for him as the first deposit.
“This, I did in 2009, that is 10 years ago. After that, he operated the account himself without me paying even a cent into that account till date.” “Now, 10 years after, I am again being vilified and accused of giving Justice Onnoghen bribe.
“If I may ask, a bribe for what case? In the Supreme Court panel, they sit in five or seven persons, was the $30,000 for the five or seven justices? And for what case? This is another huge joke aimed at vilifying my person by the same cabal who are hell bent on tarnishing my image as an aftermath of the exposure of the Paris Club fraud.
” The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, challenged the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, who instituted the case against him to come up with evidence to support his claim that the $30 ,000 traced to the account of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Onnoghen, was a bribe to compromise the trial on the exposed $ 3.18 billion paris club fruad.
He explained that though he convinced the suspended CJN to open the said domiciliary account with the Standard Chartered Bank 10 years ago with an initial deposit of $30,000, the deposit was never a bribe to the CJN or the trial judge in the Paris Club’s fraud case, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.
According to him, rather than the government to pay him his legal fee of over N 70 million for exposing and winning the case in court, Mallami and the same cabal had framed him up with trump up charges including bribing the suspended CJN. Mr Agi said it was a huge joke to have said he bribed the respected Justice of supreme Court justice Ademola with N30 million and a jeep to secure the ruling on the Paris Club refund . “Is it a crime for judges to have friends or acquaintances?
I challenge the Attorney General Malami, SAN and the EFCC to come forward with their proof that the $30,000 Onnoghen sent me to deposit for him 10 years ago was as a result of bribery.
“I challenge them to come out openly on the real reason why they are out to tarnish my image. They should be bold enough to open up rather than hiding under the guise of fight against corruption as a smokescreen to launch a smear campaign against my person.
“The government should be sincere and serious about fighting corruption and not be engaged in the deliberate destruction of the names of its citizens whom they perceive as enemies.
“Which Nigerian alive today can say he has not benefited from the Paris Club Refund? Yet, Joe Agi, SAN who is the face of Paris Club refund is being hounded and haunted instead of being celebrated. God save us! “Let it be known that very prominent people in the present government have corruptly and fraudulently taken the legal fees due to me from the Paris Club Refund and the EFCC has seen nothing wrong with it,” he further said.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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