Appeal Court to deliver judgment in Onnoghen’s appeal today

The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, will today, Friday, deliver judgment in the appeal filed by the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Onnoghen approached the appellate court to have his trial and conviction for lack of declaration of assets by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, voided.

Onnoghen, who was suspended from office by President Muhammadu Buhari on the order of the CCT, also prayed the Court of Appeal to declare the order for his suspension null and void.

The former CJN, who resigned from office shortly before his conviction, is praying the Appeal Court to void the order of the tribunal for the forfeiture of the monies in the disputed accounts.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had, through the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, dragged Onnoghen before the CCT, alleging that the former CJN failed to declare or properly declare his assets.

Read also: Naval Chief, Ekwe-Ibas says kidnapping has reduced after meeting with Buhari

The Mr. Danladi Umar-led three-man panel tribunal said it was satisfied that the FG successfully proved its allegation that Onnoghen acted in breach of the code of conduct for public officers in the country.

It also held that evidence of three witnesses that testified in the course of the trial were not discredited by the defendant who was accused of failing to properly declare his assets, as well as operating five domiciliary foreign bank accounts.

According to the tribunal, the admission by the embattled former CJN that he forgot to declare the five accounts he operated since 2009, was “weighty enough” to guarantee his conviction.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now