How Justice Onnoghen was absent as trial starts at CCT

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in the person of Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen was slated to appear before the  Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja today.

However, Justice Walter did not appear before the tribunal but was ably represented by Wole Olanipekun and 46
other Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

The tribunal chairman in the person of Danladi Umar called the case at about 10:08 am on Monday.

Wole Olanipekun in responding to it by questioning the tribunal in saying “You have to first determine whether you have the jurisdiction to try this matter,”

We will recall that sequel to today’s tribunal sitting, Justice Onnoghen was charged to court following on a 6 count charge of the non-assets declaration by a petition filed against him through the group called The Anti-corruption Research and Data-Based Initiative that is headed by a former official of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change by name Denis Aghanya.

The CCT said it received the request for the trial and has slated Monday to commence the trial. They have been mixed reactions to the ordeal of Justice Onnoghen to be politically motivated.

The defense of Justice Onnoghen included Chief Chris Uche, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, Sebastine Hon, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, Kehinde Ogunwumiju and A.T Kehinde. While the legal team representing the Federal Government was headed by a former Director of Public Prosecution in Kano State, Aliyu Umar (SAN)

He also led the prosecution of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of Senate rules.

The narrative of what transpired in the tribunal is such that after Danladi Umar the Chairman of the CCT called the case, one of the court official observed that Justice Onnoghen was not present at the court, he then notified the Chairman of the development.

The Chairman demanded to know if Justice Onnoghen was served with the Charges and Summons.

The court official in confirming that the CJN was served said

“He was served through his personal assistant. We went to his house and the defendant directed his personal assistant to collect the charge on his behalf.

“So the defendant has been served.”

However, when Aliyu Umar announced appearance for the prosecution,  Wole Olanipekun announced appearance as the lead team for the defendant.

He also began mentioning names of members of his team that included Adegboyega Awomolo, Kanu Agabi, Yusuf Ali, Chris Uche, Hassan Hassan, Paul Erokoro, S.I. Ameh, Sebastine Hon, Magaji Mahmoud, James Onoja, Akinlola Kehinde, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, Victoria Awomolo, Tawo Tawo, Muyiwa Akinbolohun, Varile Azinge, Abdul Ibrahim, Olubowale Taiwo, Garba Tetengi, Offiong Effiong, Patrick Okolo.

Umar objected to the calling of the names and cited the directive of the CJN that not more than five counsels should make an appearance for any party in any case.

Then Wole replied by saying
“it is too early in the day for such argument”

Wole also said the Defense has an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

The Umar objected to taken of the application stating that the defendant is not in court and has not taken his plea and that the prosecution has just been served and would need time to respond.

Thereafter, the tribunal adjourned to January 22, 2018, for further hearing ofthe matter