The arraignment of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja could not take place on Monday as earlier scheduled. The CJN was absent but a horde of 71 lawyers made up of many SANs were in court to hold brief for Justice Onnoghen.

The arraignment was stalled after Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), counsel for Onnoghen, raised an issue of improper service of summons on the CJN. He was being tried on a six-count charge bordering on alleged misconduct.

Olanipekun also argued, in his application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charges, that it should not be heard in the absence of his client.

Malam Umar Aliyu (SAN), counsel for the Federal Government, objected to Olanipekun’s submissions, adding that the defendant was duly served. The CJN was allegedly served through his personal assistant.

Aliyu also said the application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal should not be entertained unless the CJN had taken his plea.

The tribunal chairman, Umar Danladi, later ruled that the CJN’s arraignment will now take place on Jan.22. He ordered that a fresh summons be served on the CJN.

While the case was ongoing at the tribunal, more lawyers who had thronged the premises of the tribunal said they were willing to join the dozens of counsels on behalf of the CJN, saying the case is an affront on the sanctity of the rule of law.