Non-Assets Declaration: Court of Appeal fixes January 24 to entertain CJN’s appeal against trial

The Court of Appeal Abuja on Monday fixed January 24 to hear a
notice of appeal seeking to restrain the trial of the Justice
Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at the Code of
Conduct Tribunal (CCT.

Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Counsel to Mr Onnoghen filed the
appeal challenging the January 14 decision of the tribunal which
adjourned until January 22 to commence proceedings on the trial of
the CJN.

Ruling, Justice Abdul Aboki held that the appellate court had no
definitive order to make in the present circumstance and therefore
went ahead to fix January 24 to hear the merit of the appeal.

It would be recalled that the Federal High Court Abuja, the FCT
High Court and the National Industrial had at various times
restrained the tribunal from commencing Mr Onnoghen’ trial pending
the determinations of suits on the subject matter before them.

Emmanuel Omonuwa, Counsel to the federal government had raised
objection on the court’s earlier readiness to hear the appeal,
adding that he was served with the processes on Friday.

According to him, he requires some days to file his responses on
the issues raised.

He, therefore, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to enable
him file his responses.

Mr Omonuwa also said there was no need for the court to make any
fresh restraining order as three courts in Abuja had already issues
restraining orders on the CCT, adding that those orders still
subsisted.

Mr Onnoghen, in the appeal, is also challenging the CCT’s
admission of federal government’s motion asking him to step down as
the CJN pending the determination of the petition.

The Code of Conduct Bureau instituted an action against the
applicant on allegations bothering non-assets declaration.

(NAN)