Justice Walter Onnoghen, suspended CJN
The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge of non-declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.
He was immediately granted bail on self-recognition by the tribunal following a short oral application by the defence counsel, Chris Uche (SAN).
Justice Walter Onnoghen had earlier pleaded not guilty to six-count charge on non asset declaration and operating foreign account.
This will be the first time since the trial began, that the suspended Chief justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen will be appearing before the code of conduct tribunal.
At the last adjourned date, chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar had, issued a bench warrant on Justice Walter Onnoghen, directing the IGP and DG of the DSS to arrest and produce him before the Tribunal.
The embattled Chief Justice was accused of failing to declare his assets, as well as maintaining a domiciliary bank account.
Buhari had also ordered his suspension and appointed Tanko Mohammad, acting CJN.
The National Judicial Council, NJC, had on Monday, ordered the CJN to respond to a fresh petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, lodged against him and was handed seven days to respond to allegations the EFCC raised against him.
The Tribunal has adjourned to 11th March 2019 for hearing of all pending application.
