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Tag: Walter Onnoghen

  • Breaking: CCT to deliver judgment in Onnoghen’s trial Thursday

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has scheduled judgment for Thursday (April 18) in the trial of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen on a six-count charge of non-declaration of assets.

    Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar announced the date on Monday after listening to lawyers to the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses.

    Read Also: The fall of Onnoghen

    Umar said the court will also, on Thursday, deliver two rulings earlier reserved on two applications by the defendants, first challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction and the other asking the tribunal Chairman to recuse himself from the case.

     

     

  • FG opts to continue Onnoghen’s trial as counsel submit final addresses

    There were strong indications on Wednesday that the Federal Government has opted to continue with the trial of the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    It was confirmed on Wednesday at the CCT that Onnoghen’s lawyers have filed their final address.

    The prosecution team is expected to  submit its final address today.

    Justice Onnoghen is said to have bungled his chances to meet with President Buhari to resolve the impasse amicably  in the interest of the Executive and the Judiciary.

    After Justice Onnoghen’s resignation, it was not immediately clear whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari would direct that his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal be stopped.

    While some government officials wanted the trial concluded, some members of the Bench and the Bar insisted on the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to retire Justice Onnoghen.

    Read Also: The fall of Onnoghen

    Although the President was said to be weighing options on the NJC’s report, which made recommendations on Justice Onnoghen’s future, a government official said his trial will be concluded.

    The source said: “The government will not withdraw the case against Onnoghen in CCT in order not to set a bad precedent.

    “We want the case to run its  lifespan for posterity and to avoid reading of political meanings into it. When this case started, there was much uproar, that it was politically motivated by the presidency. We want the tribunal to decide the case on merit.

    “The NJC’s report also did not say that the trial be halted. It only demanded the retirement of Onnoghen. This is why no directive has been given to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which is prosecuting the case, to withdraw the charges against the CJN.”

    The source, who stressed that there was no deal with Justice Onnoghen over his trial, claimed that the CJN bungled his chances to decide his fate in the interest of the Judiciary.

    The source added: “There were moves to prevail on the President not to allow the CJN to be on trial in CCT. The first window came from the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) which sent a delegation to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The NBA team wanted soft-landing for Onnoghen. Some terms were agreed upon, including resignation or voluntary retirement by Onnoghen.

    “The NBA team was mandated to prevail on him to quit honourably in view of some overwhelming allegations and  investigative reports on him. The CJN, who was initially amenable to reconciliation, later backed out.

    “The second mediation was about another proposed confidential session between President Buhari and Onnoghen, which was facilitated by some highly-placed Nigerians. They wanted the President to hear from Onnoghen to pave the way for his quiet retirement from office without subjecting him to trial.

    “The CJN consented to the session with the President but he aborted it at the last minute without any justifiable cause.

    “Onnoghen had over-relied on the outcome of NJC’s investigation  – that it would be in his favour. He had no choice than to throw in the towel when the NJC advised Buhari to retire him. It was at this stage he chose to voluntarily leave office.”

    Speaking with our correspondent last night, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Muhammed Isah, said: “We have not received any directive from the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami(SAN), who is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  to discontinue the case.”

  • The fall of Onnoghen

    Since the news of the non-declaration of some of his assets broke, it has been one allegation after the other against the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen. The contention is that his action amounted to a violation of the Code of Conduct for public officers. Justice Onnoghen’s ready made answer was that he forgot to do so. Many never expected the custodian of our law, the nation’s  number one  judicial officer, for that matter,  to say such a thing. But he did.

    From then, things moved at a dizzying speed, with the Federal Government seeing in it a way to make a scapegoat of Onnoghen under its anti-graft crusade. From the outset, Onnoghen was a marked man. The government knew he has such a baggage, but still appointed him as CJN in March 2017. The appointment was a subtle way of telling him that “look, you must behave yourself as long as you remain in office, or we will expose you”.

    His resignation last week may have brought closure to this sordid episode, but it calls to question the integrity of our judiciary. Onnoghen, who is standing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), was ready to fight to the end until he read the handwriting on the wall and threw in the towel last Friday. The National Judicial Council (NJC), which he headed until his travail began, might have done him in with its report following its investigation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) petition against him. The council recommended that he should be retired with full benefits.  His exit should be an opportunity to beam the searchlight on the judiciary and do all that can be done to cleanse this critical institution.

    I have a lot of respect for judges because they are society’s conscience. They are men and women who have sworn to uphold the scale of justice to ensure that no man is cheated nor deprived of his right. Painfully, the society’s conscience has, in the course of time, lost its moral and legal bearing, to judge others. Justice, the saying goes, must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done. How then can a corrupt judge live up to this age-long maxim when justice is for sale?

    In an October 6, 2016 piece titled : Justice for sale (see bromide), which was prompted by the NJC’s sanction of some corrupt judges then, this writer warned against creating room for  judicial officers to turn the bench into their public limited company (PLC). We did not know then that even the council, which should be an holy sanctuary, could be as rotten as some of those it probes. Onnoghen’s case has shown that we must rejig the membership of the almighty NJC. If as NJC chair, he could forget to declare some of his assets, how are we sure that such misdemeanour does not run down the line?

    Read Also: The Onnoghen dilemma

    Honestly, if we desire a council, which will be the pride of our nation, and not one that will shield its members who soil their reputation and bring opprobrium to it, we must overhaul it. A stain on NJC is a dent on the nation’s image, so we cannot treat lightly any allegation of corruption against its members. Are there still other Onnoghen in the council? There may be because since as the head, he had such a baggage, it is likely that he would tolerate others who tread the same path with him.

    The nation does not deserve a tainted judiciary. This is why the government must weed out judges who perceive the bench as the place to amass wealth at the expense of their judicial duty and the time to do that is now, no matter how some people feel. We cannot build a just society with a cash and carry judiciary.

     

    Will Buhari act?

    IN 2015, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) settled for Senator Ahmad Lawan as Senate president, but the action did not go down with outgoing Senate President Bukola Saraki, who joined forces with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators,  to snatch the plum job. Four years after, APC seems not to have learnt anything from that bitter enterprise. It has tipped Lawan again for the coveted seat in the incoming Ninth Senate, which will be inaugurated in June. Senators Ali Ndume and Danjuma Goje are not comfortable with his choice. Ndume, especially, is fighting tooth and nail for the job. He is accusing the party of not carrying him and other aspirants along before settling for Lawan.

    Ndume may have a point. But where there is discipline, members are expected to fall in line with whatever decision their party takes. After all, as they say, the party is supreme. Having been anointed by the party, Ndume and others must rally round Lawan to get the job so that they do not play into the hands of PDP as they did four years ago. PDP is waiting in the wings to reap from APC’s internal strife as it did in 2015 and ran away with the deputy Senate president. APC should be firm on this matter. It should stand by its decision and ensure that it is complied with by its senators, no matter how powerful and connected some of them may think they are. President Muhammadu Buhari should not keep quiet too. If he is backing Lawan, he should say so unequivocally and let the other aspirants know. This is not a time for ‘’you can go and vote for whoever you like’’. It is a time for him to take charge and let the APC senators know where he stands. To start with, what about inviting Lawan, Ndume and Goje over to the Villa to knock some senses into their heads? Doing that will douse the tension over this matter. APC, beware, so that 2015 does not repeat itself.

    The party must show that it has balls by sticking to its choice and doing all it can to make him Senate president. It must not allow the PDP to seize the initiative again as it did four years ago. If PDP could be in power for 16 years and ran the show the way it liked in the National Assembly, I do not see why APC cannot do the same now that it is ruling the roost. What is power if you do not know how to use it?

  • May 29: Governors, senators gang up against Magu

    Ahead of May 29 exit date, some governors, ministers, and senators are pushing for the removal of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    They are mounting pressure on some Presidency officials to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to “ease out” Magu.

    It was learnt that many governors are jittery about Magu’s retention, following the clinical investigation of the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    This is the third time in two years that attempt has been made to give Magu the push from office by some politicians who are opposed to Buhari administration’s anti-corruption campaign.

    There was a plot in January to send Magu on a course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) on or before the conclusion of the general elections.

    The latest move is to sack Magu on or before May 29 when some of the governors would have completed their eight-year tenure.

    A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said those who wanted Magu out had been alleging that the EFCC chairman’s stay might not assist the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.

    The source said: “The arrowheads, including outgoing governors, have begun smear campaigns to poison the minds of Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, against Magu.

    “They are said to be relying on three bogus/ fake reports against Magu allegedly submitted to the Presidency by an unknown government agency.

    Read Also: Why we didn’t confirm Magu, by Saraki

    “They are also alleging lack of loyalty against Magu, claiming that he is working against APC’s interest from now till 2023.

    “They cite how EFCC’s probe led to Onnoghen’s sudden resignation. They allege that Magu can go to any length to expose them, especially the outgoing governors, when they leave office.

    “They are of the opinion that since they have skeletons in their cupboards, Magu can prosecute them once he is still in office.

    “The promoters of the plot have co-opted politically exposed persons in the APC and the PDP.”

    It was learnt that some Senators have also teamed up with aggrieved political office holders on the anti-Magu campaign.

    The source added: “Some senators are jittery over possible confirmation of Magu after May 29, as they are afraid that he may go after them once they lose their privileged positions.

    “They are aware that there are pending investigations against them, including over N1trillion unexecuted constituency projects. Magu is uncompromising in this regard.”

  • Onnoghen’s resignation: ‘PDP should hide their faces in shame’

    The Buhari Media Organisation on Monday lashes out at the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over their support for the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, asking them and their leaders to go hide their faces in shame after Justice Onnoghen tendered his resignation letter over corruption allegations.

    In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the pro Buhari group said it is funny that the opposition elements and their allies stood firmly behind a senior judicial officer that was facing serious charges and sought to make political capital out of it.

    He said that the resignation of the former Chief Justice has proven that President Buhari acted in national interest by suspending the tainted Chief Justice, saying “Nigerians all saw the manner PDP and its leaders, including its former Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, ran from pillar to post before the election in a bid to defend Justice Onnoghen.

    “The party leaders even suspended their flagging Presidential campaign at that time for 72 hours! Just to be seen to be fighting perceived injustice, but discerning Nigerians knew they were playing to the gallery.

    “They were quick to shout political witch-hunt to the high heavens and that was in spite of the overwhelming evidence which they insisted on not interrogating because the CJN’s suspension tallied with the wrong impression of a dictatorial government that PDP was keen on selling to the electorates in the run up to the election.

    “We were also not surprised that another key PDP leader, the usurper Senate President Bukola Saraki, attempted to drag the Senate into it until the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus which had a clear majority shot it down.

    “We won’t also forget PDP governors in the South-South region in the hall of infamy, especially as they encouraged the man who was at the time the custodian of the nation’s law not to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    “And now that Onnoghen has done what he should have done in the first instance rather than engage in judicial rigmarole, does it not amount to a smear on what is left of the character of these PDP elements. All these prove that PDP is still what it is-a party that supports and glorifies corruption.”

    Read Also: Onnoghen case ends anticlimactically

    According to them, President Muhammadu Buhari also deserves an apology from a segment of the civil society who castigated him for suspending Justice Onnoghen on the basis of a valid order from the CCT.

    The group said: “We at BMO have every reason to demand an apology on the President’s behalf from everyone, including the latter-day rights activists who were actually paid hacks, and the real ones who failed in their duties to hold people in government accountable.

    “These are the people that used the traditional and social media to whip up enough sentiments that some members of the international community bought the lies and took the unusual step of upbraiding the Presidency in a move that amounted to interference in the country’s internal affairs.

    “The positive take away from this is that those who made genuine mistakes in misreading the situation would now see President Buhari from our own perspective as one who acts always in national interest, no matter whose ox is gored.”

  • Onnoghen: The man, the judge, the end

    WALTER Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, born December 22, 1950, started his career as a pupil state counsel between 1978 and 1979.

    He left public service to join the firm of Effiom Ekong & Company (1979 till 1988).

    He later became the Principal Partner at Walter Onnoghen & Associates, Calabar from 1988 to 1989.

    Soon after, he began a career on the Bench. As High Court judge of Cross Rivers State, he was made the Chairman of the state Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal, a post he held for three years between 1990 and 1993.

    In 1998, he served as the Chairman, Failed Bank Tribunal, Ibadan Zone.

    Onnoghen was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1998 from where he served until 2005 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

    In February 2016, Onnoghen led a seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court who reviewed and upheld the death sentence of Chukwuemeka Ezeugo a.k.a. Rev. King of the Christian Praying Assembly.

    In 2007, Justice Onnoghen played a huge role in the 2007 elections which saw the late Umaru Yar’adua becoming the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He had a dissenting judgment that annulled the presidential election. His position was, however, a minority judgment.

    Appointment as CJN Onnoghen’s confirmation as CJN was dogged by controversy following its protracted nature. The National Judicial Council (NJC) on October 10, 2016 recommended him to President Muhammadu Buhari, being the most senior at the Supreme Court after the retirement of Mohammed Mahmud.

    It took until February 7, 2017 for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to transmit Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation as substantive CJN.

    He was confirmed by the Senate on March 1, 2017 and sworn in on March 7, 2017.

    His trial

    Onnoghen made unwanted history as the first CJN to be suspended and docked.

    Onnoghen’s trial started when a petition was filed by the civil rights group the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI) at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    It was alleged that he owned “sundry accounts primarily funded through cash deposits made by himself up to as recently as 10 August 2016, which appear to have been run in a manner inconsistent with financial transparency and the code of conduct for public officials.”

    The trial commenced on January 14 but Onnoghen was absent. It was then adjourned to the following week because Onnoghen faulted the summons procedure.

    The next hearing was slated for January 22 but he failed to show up in court again. Following his absence again, President Buhari suspended him on January 26 and appointed Tanko Ibrahim as Acting CJN.

    Onnoghen’s office was thereafter sealed by the police, which sparked outrage from lawyers and politicians.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar described Onnoghen’s suspension as “dictatorship taken too far”, but Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, accused those criticising President Buhari over Onnoghen’s suspension as hypocrites.

    In the course of the saga, different courts gave orders of injunction against his arrest and prosecution, most of which were subsisting before the CCT order that led to his suspension.

    Following Onnoghen’s suspension on January 25, the United States issued a statement on the development, with Osinbajo saying he was not aware of the former CJN’s planned prosecution.

    Even the Senate weighed in, challenging Onnoghen’s suspension at the Supreme Court. Onnoghen sued the Federal Government over his suspension but lost his bid to stop his trial at the CCT, which ordered his arrest, forcing him to appear for his arraignment, which took place on February 15.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on February 7, said it traced $30,000 paid to Onnoghen’s account by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

    The CCT, on March 29, dismissed Onnoghen’s no-case submission, following which he opened his defence, calling only one witness. He closed his defence on April 3.

    After NJC recommended him for retirement, Onnoghen tendered his resignation before the President could act on the recommendation.

     

    The case against Onnoghen

    The NJC reached the decision to suspend Onnoghen after reviewing damning evidence by EFCC against him, argued by two brilliant prosecuting counsel Ekene Iheanacho and Rotimi Oyedepo.

    They argued successfully that Onnoghen violated the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

    He was accused of infidelity to the Constitution and violation of other laws prohibiting economic and financial related offences.

    EFCC said he could not prove the legitimate source or origin of the sum of $1,716,000.00 found in his account.

    “The respondent, who never declared having $1,716,000.00 in his asset declaration form as cash in hand, wanted this honourable Panel to believe that he accumulated the said sum in his house and only deposited them in the bank between 2009 and 2016 in cash.

    “My lords, the respondent also attempted to suggest to the Honourable Panel that the $1,716,000.00 cash deposit was earned by him upon his part-time appointment as Justice of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    REad also: Onnoghen’s resignation: Buhari is vindicated, says APC

    “My lords, this explanation, with due respect, is laughable in that the Respondent was appointed on the 22nd day of November, 2012.

    “On the face of the appointment letter, it is clear that the Respondent is entitled to the 5,000 GBP and 22,000 Dalasis which is payable per session to be determined by the Chief Justice of Gambia in line with the Rules of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    “The respondent failed to show this panel that consequent upon his appointment in November, 2012 and the assumption of that office in 2013 the number of sessions he sat as a member of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    “The respondent also failed to state how much he earned from Gambia, how he was paid whether cash or through his account. What is clear is that if the respondent is to earn any fee from Gambia it will be GBP and not USD. What is in issue is the USD paid in exhibit P4C.”

    EFCC also questioned a Mercedes Benz GL 450 worth N7, 000,000.00 from Mr. Joe Agi (SAN) to Onnoghen in 2009.

    The commission said the SAN also made a cash deposit of $30,000.00 on June 29, 2009 to His Lordship’s account.

    “The respondent failed to show this Honourable Panel how he paid for the vehicle from his lawful earnings.

    “As a matter of fact, the respondent was confronted with all his account before this honourable panel during cross examination to prove how and the source of the money he purportedly gave to Joe Agi, SAN, as purchase price of the vehicle but couldn’t as there is no such payment.

    “Our findings and humble submission is that these defence shows clearly that the respondent is fully aware that by virtue of his appointment as a Judicial Officer, the receipt of car gift worth N7,000,000.00 and $30,000 from a practicing legal practitioner is clearly misconduct under the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

    “We therefore urge my lords to find in our favour that the respondent received the car gift and the sum of $30,000.00 from the DW2, a practising lawyer who had appeared, appearing and may still appear before him.”

    EFCC also said Onnoghen received pecuniary gifts from practising lawyers, namely Ogunsanya Adewunmi (N250,000), Paul Usoro, SAN,          (N350,000), Emeka Etiaba (SAN) (N250,000), Onyechi Ikpeasu (SAN) (N300,000), and Eze Duru Iheoma (SAN) (N100,000).

    Although Onnoghen said the cash gifts were given to him during his daughter’s wedding, and that the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers does not forbid judges from accepting gifts that are cultural, EFCC said Onnoghen was under the obligation to avoid situations which might reasonably give rise to the suspicion of or appearance of favouritism or partiality with individual members of the legal profession who practice regularly in court where the respondent presides.

    “My lords, by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, members of the public expect a high standard of conduct from a Judge who, at all time, must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all his activities both in his professional and private life.

    “It is, therefore, our humble submission that in view of the evidence before this Honourable Panel, the petitioner has established the breach of the Code of Conducts for Judicial Officers against the Respondent and we urge my lords to so hold,” EFCC said.

  • Onnoghen: the man, the judge, the end

    Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, born December 22, 1950, started his career as a pupil state counsel between 1978 and 1979.

    He left public service to join the firm of Effiom Ekong & Company (1979 till 1988).

    He later became the Principal Partner at Walter Onnoghen & Associates, Calabar from 1988 to 1989.

    Soon after, he began a career on the Bench. As High Court judge of Cross Rivers State, he was made the Chairman of the state Armed Robbery and Firm Arms Tribunal, a post he held for three years between 1990 and 1993.

    In 1998, he served as the Chairman, Failed Banks Tribunal, Ibadan Zone.

    Onnoghen was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1998 from where he served until 2005 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

    In February 2016, Onnoghen led a seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court who reviewed and upheld the death sentence of Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (aka Rev. King) of the Christian Praying Assembly.

    In 2007, Justice Onnoghen played a huge role in 2007 election which saw the Late Umaru Yar’aduaas President of the federal republic of Nigeria.

    He had a dissenting judgment that annulled the presidential election. His position was, however, a minority judgment.

    Appointment as CJN

    Onnoghen’s confirmation as CJN was dogged by controversy following its protracted nature. The National Judicial Council (NJC), on October 10, 2016, recommended him to President Muhammadu Buhari, being the most senior at the Supreme Court after the retirement of Mohammed Mahmud.

    It took until February 7, 2017 for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to transmit Onnoghen’s name to the senate for confirmation as substantive CJN.

    He was confirmed by the Senate on March 1, 2017 and sworn in on March 7, 2017.

    His trial

    Onnoghen made the unwanted history as the first CJN to be suspended and docked.

    Onnoghen’s trial started when a petition was filed by the civil rights group the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI) at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    It was alleged that he owned “sundry accounts primarily funded through cash deposits made by himself up to as recently as 10 August 2016, which appear to have been run in a manner inconsistent with financial transparency and the code of conduct for public officials.”

    The trial commenced January 14 but Onnoghen was absent. It was then adjourned to the following week because Onnoghen faulted the summons procedure.

    The next hearing was slated for January 22 but he failed to show up in court again. Following his absence again, President Buhari suspended him on January 26 and appointed Tanko Ibrahim as Acting CJN.

    Onnoghen’s office was thereafter sealed by the police, which sparked outrage by lawyers and politicians.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar described Onnoghen’s suspension as “dictatorship taken too far” but Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, accused those criticising President Buhari over Onnoghen’s suspension as hypocrites.

    In the course of the saga, different courts gave orders of injunction against his arrest and prosecution, most of which where subsisting before the CCT order that led to his suspension.

    Read Also: Onnoghen’s resignation: Buhari is vindicated, says APC

    Following Onnoghen’s suspension on January 25, the United States issued a statement on the development, with Osinbajo saying he was not aware of the former CJN’s planned prosecution.

    Even the Senate weighed, challenging Onnoghen’s suspension at the Supreme Court. Onnoghen sued the Federal Government over his suspension but lost his bid to stop his CCT trial at the CCT, which ordered his arrest, forcing him to appear for his arraignment, which took place on February 15.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on February 7, said it traced $30,000 paid to Onnoghen’s account paid to him by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

    The CCT, on March 29, dismissed Onnoghen’s no-case submission, following which he opened his defence, calling only one witness. He closed his defence on April 3.

    After NJC recommended him for retirement, Onnoghen tendered his resignation before the President could act on the recommendation.

    The case against Onnoghen

    The NJC reached the decision to suspend Onnoghen after reviewing damning evidence by EFCC against him, argued by two brilliant prosecuting counsel Ekene Iheanacho and Rotimi Oyedepo.

    They argued successfully that Onnoghen violated the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

    He was accused of infidelity to the Constitution and violation of other laws prohibiting economic and financial related offences.

    EFCC said he could not prove the legitimate source or origin of the sum of $1,716,000.00 found in his account.

    “The respondent, who never declared having $1,716,000.00 in his asset declaration form as cash in hand, wanted this honourable Panel to believe that he accumulated the said sum in his house and only deposited them in the bank between 2009 and 2016 in cash.

    “My lords, the respondent also attempted to suggest to the Honourable Panel that the $1,716,000.00 cash deposit was earned by him upon his part-time appointment as Justice of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    My”My lords, this explanation with due respect is laughable in that the Respondent was appointed on the 22nd day of November, 2012.

    “On the face of the appointment letter, it is clear that the Respondent is entitled to the 5,000 GBP and 22,000 Dalasis which is payable per session to be determined by the Chief Justice of Gambia in line with the Rules of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    “The respondent failed to show this panel that consequent upon his appointment in November, 2012 and the assumption of that office in 2013 the number of sessions he sat as a member of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    “The respondent also failed to state how much he earned from Gambia, how he was paid whether cash or through his account. What is clear is that if the respondent is to earn any fee from Gambia it will be GBP and not USD. What is in issue is the USD paid in exhibit P4C.”

    EFCC also questioned a Mercedes Benz GL 450 worth N7, 000,000.00 from

    Continue on page 2

  • Onnoghen closes case at CCT after calling a witness

    …Parties to adopt final addresses April 12

    Suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen ended his defence on Wednesday in his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for allegedly breaching the code of conduct for public officers.

    Onnoghen, who called his personal driver, Lawal Busari as his first witness on Monday, failed on Wednesday, to call more witnesses.

    His lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) had, on Monday informed the tribunal that the defence would call between two to three witness, including Mrs. Theresa Nwafor, a director, on whom a subpoena was issued at the instance of the defence.

    At the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, lawyer to the defendant, Chris Uche (SAN) informed the tribunal that the defence was satisfied with the evidence it has provided so far and was willing to close its case.

    Uche said: “My lords, today is for continuation of trial. But my lords, after a deep review of the evidence led by the prosecution and the defence, the defence has come to conclusion and we have closed our case.

    “Pursuant to paragraph 14 of the Practice Direction of this honourable tribunal, we apply to file our final written addresses.”

    Prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar (SAN) confirmed to the tribunal that the defence had hinted him of plans to close its case on Wednesday.

    Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar has adjourned to April 12 this year for parties to adopt their final written addresses.

    Details later…

  • CJN’s trial: Onnoghen opens defence, calls driver as 1st witness

    The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen opened his defence on Monday by calling his driver, Lawal Busari, as his first defence witness.

    Onnoghen is being tried on a six count charge in which he is accused of breaching the code of conduct for public officers for allegedly failing to declare his assets.

    Led in evidence by lead defence lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Busari gave details of how he drove his boss, the defendant, to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) office on July 28, 2010, to obtain the assets declaration form and how he paid N200 for the defendants’ assets declaration on November 3, 2010.

    When Awomolo moved to tender the receipt issued Busari for the N200, lead prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar (SAN), objected to it being admitted by the tribunal.

    Read Also: Onnoghen: CCT summons CCB’s director

    Umar doubted the authenticity of the receipt on the grounds that the “revenue number did not appear on it.” He added that since the witnesses was not the maker of the document, he was not the proper person to tender it.

    The defence said, by the testimony of the witness, it sought to puncture the prosecution’s charge that the defendant did not declare his assets from 2005 and 2016.

    Busari, who said he is 60 years old, described himself as the Chief Driver/Mechanic at the Supreme Court.
    He said, while with Onnoghen at the CCB office on July 28, 2010, the suspended CJN also asked him to obtain his own assets declaration form, which he did.

    Details shortly.

  • Onnoghen: CCT summons CCB’s director

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal ( CCT ) has summoned a director at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mrs.Theresa Nwafor in relation to the ongoing trial of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, on Monday, issued a subpoena on Mrs. Nwafor to appear before the tribunal on Wednesday at 10am, following an application to that effect by lawyer to Onngehen, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

    The tribunal had, on March 29, 2019 rejected Onnoghen’s no-case submission and adjourned to April 1 for him to open his defence.

    At the resumption of proceedings on Monday, Awomolo informed the tribunal that the defence intends to call between two and three witnesses.

    He said one of the proposed witnesses is Mrs. Nwafor. He proceeded that an order be made for the issuance and service of a subpoena on Mrs. Nwafor, summoning her to appear before the tribunal to testify in the case of the defence.

    Lead prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar did not object to Awomolo’s application, following which the tribunal Chairman granted Awomolo’s application and ordered that Mrs. Nwafor appear before the tribunal at 10am on April 3.