Embattled chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT
Embattled chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The suspended CJN is being arraigned for a six-count charge bordering on false declaration of assets.
Onnoghen had on several occasions, failed to appear before the tribunal just as his lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the matter. The appeal court also refused to stay proceedings at the CCT.
At the tribunal, Danladi Umar, CCT chairman, set aside the order for the arrest of Onnoghen before he appeared and took his plea. The CCT chairman insisted that the suspended CJN must henceforth make himself available throughout the proceedings.
After the plea was read, Uche Chris, counsel to the suspended CJN, applied for bail. The counsel to the federal government did not oppose the application. Onnoghen was then granted bail based on self-recognition. Umar adjourned the matter till February 21 to hear all pending applications before the tribunal.
