LIVE UPDATE : FRN V. CJN ONOGHEN—Onnoghen enters the dock

FRN V. CJN ONOGHEN

Updates for 15 February 2019

Part one

▶Tribunal about to start sitting
▶All the Senior Advocates present have stepped out of the Court
Room ostensibly to lead the Defendant into the Court Room
▶Registrars have taken their place
▶Justice Onnoghen is in the Court Room

Part Two

CCT commences sitting

Onnoghen discussing with his
lawyers inside the tribunal while waiting for the proceedings to
begin. He is scheduled for arraignment today. Pic: Clement O.
Oloyede. 15th feb, 2018

▶Picture taking only ended when one of the young lawyers shouted
“It is okay”. The press people have now been cleared out and we are
all just waiting for the Tribunal to start sitting.
▶Tribunal now sitting
▶Tribunal apologises for keeping us waiting for ” a little
while”
▶Defendant present
▶Musa Ibrahim, Principal State Counsel & 6 Others for
Prosecution
▶Chief Chris Uche & 7 other Senior Advocates appear for Defendant.
Now taking appearance of the non-Senior Advocates for the
Defendant.

The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen,
on Friday, entered the dock to answer to the charges of
non-declaration of charges instituted against him.

His lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), ‎announced the presence of
Onnoghen shortly after the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar led two
other members to the courtroom at about 10.34am.

Onnoghen entered the dock at about 10.37am after Uche told the
tribunal of his presence.

He was offered a seat following an instruction by the tribunal
chairman but he chose to remain standing.

He remained standing with a smiling face while the prosecution
and defence legal teams announced their appearance.

Onnoghen wore transparent glasses with ‎black frame.

Friday was the first time he made a public appearance since
‎January 25 when President Muhammadu Buhari suspended him.

He voluntarily arrived the Code of Conduct Tribunal at about
9.40am on Friday following Wednesday’s order by the tribunal
chairman, Danladi Umar, for his arrest.

Onnoghen who arrived in his official vehicle with tinted glass
and covered number plate did not step out of the car until about
10.19am.

He entered the courtroom and was seated with two of his lawyers
on either side of him.

‎He was decked in a suit with an inner shirt and a yellow
tie.

The three members of the tribunal arrived to begin sitting at
about 10.34 am.