The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Walter Onnoghen

  • Alleged non-disclosure of assets: Again, CJN shuns CCT

    *Prosecution seeks interim order against CJN

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen again, stayed away on Tuesday from the proceedings of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) where he is the defendant in the charge of non-assets disclosure.

    This is the second time the CJN would shun proceedings at the tribunal, where the prosecution had planned to commence his trial.

    Justice Onnoghen , first stayed away on January 14 this year, when the case was first mentioned.

    The CJN, whose legal team is led by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), again stayed away today and asked the tribunal to adjourned indefinitely pending the determination of his appeal now pending before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

    The Prosecution, led by Aliyu Umar (SAN), said although he has the power, under Paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct Practice Direction, to apply that a bench warrant be issued against Onnoghen, he will not make such a request against the CJN.

    He, however, urged the tribunal to exercise its power by making an interim order. He was silent on what the interim order should be directed at.

    Proceedings at the CCT is still ongoing.

    Details soon.

    Read Also: SANs and Onnoghen circus

    The CJN is absent from Court but prosecution and defence counsels are present.

    Details Soon….

     

  • Updated: CJN: Appeal Court schedules hearing for Thursday

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday fixed Thursday (January 24) for the commencement of hearing in the appeal filed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen against his planned trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    A three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Abdu Aboki, after hearing preliminary submissions from lawyer to the CJN, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and Emmanuel Omonuwa, Director Civil Litigation, Federal Ministry of Justice (for the respondent – the Federal Republic of Nigeria), adjourned to January 24.

    The court adjourned principally for the hearing of a motion on notice, filed by the CJN,  for an injunction restraining the CCT from conducting further proceedings in respect of the charge against him pending the determination of the appeal.

    The CJN’s appeal, marked: CA/A/44C/2019, which has the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the sold respondent, is challenging the order made by the CCT on January 14 this year, for the hearing of two pending applications.

    One the applications is that filed by the prosecution, in which it is seeking to compel the CJN to vacate office pending the conclusion of his trial. The other application, which the CCT planned to hear today, is that filed by the CJN, challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

    When the appeal was mentioned on Monday afternoon, Awomolo identified the various sets of documents filed on January 18 this year by the appellant, including a motion ex-parte, motion on notice for injunction and a notice of appeal.

    Awomolo, who led a number of senior lawyers, including Sebatine Hon (SAN) and Mahmoud Magaji (SAN)  for the appellant, said the respondent was served on January 18.

    He said since the respondent was represented in court the court could do away with the hearing of the motion ex-parte and proceed to hear the motion on notice.

    Responding, Omonuwa sought a short adjournment to enable him respond to the motion on notice. He said he needed three days to file a counter affidavit.

    When asked to respond, Awomolo said it was within the right of the respondent to be allowed to respond to a motion served on him.

    Awomolo said he was not objecting to Omonuwa’s request for adjournment.

    He however prayed the court to order parties to maintain status quo and refrain from taken steps, in respect of the charge before the CCT, pending the next date, a request Omonuwa objected to.

    Read Also: Court summons NCAA, FAAN bosses

    Omonuwa said there were already three subsisting restraining orders made by three High Court, restraining the CCT from proceeding with the hearing of the charge against the CJN.

    He said: “When I was going through the processes served on us, I noticed that three courts have granted orders restraining proceedings before the CCT.

    “A Federal High Court in  Abuja made a restraining order on January 14; the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja made similar order the same day. And, on January 15 a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory made similar order.

    “All the three orders are subsisting. None has been set aside. In view of these three pending orders, there may not be need for additional order by this court,” Omonuwa said.

    Ruling, Justice Aboki noted that the appellant’s application before the court was a motion on notice, seeking stay of further proceedings in the charge before CCT pending the determination of the appeal.

    He said “no form of order shall be made,” and adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to January 24.

    Meanwhile, proceedings is expected to resume today before the CCT in respect of the non-assets disclosure charge filed against the CJN by the Federal Government through the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar had, on January 14 this year, adjourned to January 22 for the heating of pending motions.

    On Monday, the CJN was seen going about his normal court duties unruffled when The Nation visited the Supreme Court.

    Justice Onnoghen, who led a five-man panel of the apex court, conducted proceedings in many cases from 9 am when the court sat, up until 1.30pm when the court rose for the reconstitution of its panel.

    When the court later resumed around 2pm, the CJN was no longer part of the panel the resumed sitting. The new panel was head by Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammed.

    On of the case heard by the panel led by the CJN was an interlocutory appeal filed by former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.

    The CJN-led panel dismissed the interlocutory appeal Ihedoha filed, which related the the dispute over the governorship candidate the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State.

    The court said, in views of the fact that case was a pre-election matter, and time was of the essence, the substantive suit should be heard promptly by the trial court.

    Also on Monday, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja restated its earlier order restraining the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and some others from forcing the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to vacate office in view of the allegation of non-disclosure of assets made against him.

    Also to be affected by the order are other defendants in a suit by Peter Abang. They are: The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Senate President.

    Justice Sanusi Kado had, in an ex-parte ruling  on January 14 this year made similar order and equally halted the scheduled  trial of the CJN before the CCT on charges of  non-declaration of assets.

    The judge restrained all the defendants in the suit from attempting to force the CJN out office pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s motion for interlocutory injunction.

    Justice Kado said the orders were necessary to avert a threat and constitutional breaches regarding the position of the CJN as the number one judicial officer of the country.

    When the case was called on Monday, plaintiff’s lawyer, James Igwe (SAN) told the court that some of the defendants have been served, including the CCT Chairman, who was said to have directed his Secretary to accept service on his behalf.

    Igwe however applied for the court’s permission to serve the CCT Chairman through substituted means, which the judge granted.

    The judge reminded parties that the orders made on January 14 still subsist and adjourned to January 30 for report of service.

  • Breaking: Court hears CJN’s appeal against trial Thursday

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed Thursday (January 24) for the commencement of hearing in the appeal filed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen against his planned trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    On Monday, a three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Abdu Aboki, after hearing preliminary submissions from lawyer to the CJN, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and Emanuel Omonuwa (Director Civil Litigation, Federal Ministry of Justice) for the respondent (the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), adjourned to January 24.

    The court adjourned principally for the hearing of a motion on notice, filed by the CJN, for an injunction restraining the CCT from conducting further proceedings in respect of the charge against the CJN pending the determination of the appeal.

    Read Also: CJN: Court orders service of processes on CCT chairman

    The CJN’s appeal marked: CA/A/44C/2019 is challenging the order made by the CCT on January 14 this year, for the hearing of two pending applications.

    One the application is by the prosecution, in which it is seeking to compel the CJN to vacate office pending the conclusion of his trial.

    The other application, which the CCT planned to hear today, is that filed by the CJN, challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

  • CJN: Court orders service of processes on CCT chairman

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Monday ordered the service of an interim order and hearing notice on the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Malam Danladi Umar.

    The orders follow the suit seeking to restrain the tribunal from persecuting the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mr. Walter Onnoghen.

    At the hearing, counsel to the claimant, James Igwe (SAN), informed the court that originating processes and interim order had been served on all parties except the tribunal’s chairman and the Senate President.

    Igwe said it was the secretary to the tribunal’s chairman that received the document and not the chairman personally.

    He, however, said the Senate president was not served as an oversight that should be corrected immediately.

    The judge, Justice Sanusi Kado, therefore ordered that the processes and interim order be served on the tribunal’s chairman through substituted means.

    He equally ordered that notice should be placed on the wall of the tribunal’s office.

    He held that hearing notices should be served on all parties.

    He also gave the order that the interim order made on Jan.14 restraining the defendants from further proceeding with the trial against the CJN should subsist.

    The judge adjourned the matter until Jan. 30 for hearing of motion on notice of the interlocutory injunction in the substantive suit.

    The CJN is facing a six-count charge before the CCT over an alleged non-declaration of assets.

    Read Also: Court restates order stopping CCT from forcing CJN to vacate office

    The trial is based on a petition filed by a group, the Anti-corruption, Research and Data-based Initiative.

    The claimant in the suit, one Mr Peter Abang, therefore, filed an ex-parte motion before the court seeking an order to suspend the trial at the tribunal.

    Joined as co-defendants in the suit are Code of Court Bureau, CCB, CCT chairman, Danladi Umar; Attorney General of the Federation and The National Judicial Commission.

    Others are The Federal Judicial Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and National Judicial Council.

    Mr Garba Tetengi, Defence Counsel to NJC was the only defence counsel in court.

  • Breaking: Court restates order stopping CCT from forcing CJN to vacate office

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja on Monday restated its earlier order restraining the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and some others from forcing the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to vacate office in view of the allegation of non-disclosure of assets made against him.

    Also to be bound by the order are other defendants in a suit by Peter Abang. They are The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Senate President.

    Justice Sanusi Kado had, in an ex-parte ruling on January 14 this year made similar order and equally halted the scheduled trial of the CJN before the CCT on charges of non-declaration of assets.

    The judge restrained all the defendants in the suit from attempting to force the CJN out office pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s motion for interlocutory injunction.

    Read Also: Court urged to stop use of military for election duties

    Justice Kado said the orders were necessary to avert a threat and constitutional breaches regarding the position of the CJN as the number one judicial officer of the country.

    When the case was called on Monday, plaintiff’s lawyer, James Igwe (SAN) told the court that some of the defendants have been served, including the CCT Chairman, who was said to have directed his Secretary to accept service on his behalf.

    Igwe, however, applied for the court’s permission to serve the CCT Chairman through substituted means, which the judge granted and adjourned to January 30 for report of service.

     

    Details later.

  • Onnoghen: SANs demand respect for constitution, rule of law

    The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) on Saturday called for respect for the Constitution in the trial of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen.

    It made the call in a communique at the end of its meeting held at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos.

    The Federal Government filed charges of non-declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) against Chief Justice Onnoghen.

    He has, however, filed an application to challenge the CCT’s jurisdiction on the basis that the matter ought to be determined by the National Judicial Council (NJC) first.

    The Federal High Court in Abuja had also restrained the CCT from arraigning Chief Justice Onnoghen.

    After considering issues of national importance, BOSAN said the issues must be resolved carefully in the Judiciary’s interest.

    The communique reads: “The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria deplores the situation that has arisen from the preferment of charges against the CJN and head of the Nigerian Judiciary before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    READ ALSO: Freezing CJN’s accounts contemptuous, say Agbakoba, Falana, Ozekhome

    “The Body urges respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, separation of powers, due process and the proper administration of justice.

    “In the prevailing circumstances, all parties are urged to consider the impact of their respective actions on the administration of justice in Nigeria and public confidence in our institutions.

    “The Body recognises that the matter is subjudice (before the CCT and other courts) and it is therefore not appropriate to comment on the merits or otherwise of any of the cases.

    “The Body considers that these issues must be resolved carefully and responsibly in the interest of the legal profession and the nation.

    “The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria continues to endorse the core values of good governance, public integrity and sustenance of democracy in the spirit of the Constitution.”

    The communique was signed by Prof Ben Nwabueze and Mr Seyi Sowemimo.

  • Charges against CJN not tenable – Lawyer

    Mr Realwan Okpanachi, a senior lawyer in the FCT, says that the charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, are not tenable.

    Okpanachi said his contention was based on the provisions of sections 292(1a)(i) and 292(1b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

    The senior lawyer made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.

    The lawyer also made reference to the subsisting decision of the Court of Appeal in Nganjiwa vs FRN (2017) LPELR-43391 case.

    NAN recalls that Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa had appealed the decision of the High Court of Lagos State in 2017, challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain and determine the instant information against her.

    Nganjiwa was by 14-Count information charged for offences ranging from unlawful enrichment by a public officer to making false information.

    NAN also recalls that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) had filed a six-count criminal charge bordering on alleged refusal to declare assets and operating foreign bank accounts, against the CJN.

    Okpanachi said that the Code of Conduct Tribunal could have the jurisdiction to try the CJN based on the fact that he was neither above the law, nor entitled to immunity.

    “But the jurisdiction of the tribunal has not been effectively activated because the conditions for its innovation, as laid down in the above court of Appeal decision, have not been satisfied.

    “In as much as I do not agree with the said decision, it is a binding and subsisting decision which must be respected by every person and authority,’’ Okpanachi said.

    He maintained that the issue at stake was not about the merit of the charges against the CJN, but about the rule of law.

    Read Also: El-Rufai urges CJN Onnoghen to resign

    “That is the binding of the subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, stating unequivocally that a serving judicial officer cannot be arraigned or tried in any court for a criminal offence.

    “Not until such officer has been investigated, dismissed or recommended for trial by the National Judicial Council,’’ the lawyer said.

    He further said that the lawyers who filed the charges did so in total ignorance for the constitutional provisions and the Court of Appeal judgment in Nganjiwa’s case.

    “In view of the above, I humbly advise the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Attorney General of the Federation to withdraw the charges and apologise for their error of judgment,’’ Okpanachi said.

  • Sagay: Why NJC can’t consider Onnoghen’s case

    Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Chairman Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) on Wednesday explained why Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen’s assets non-declaration charge cannot first be determined by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    In a statement, the eminent professor of law, citing constitutional provisions, argued that not every offence committed by a judicial officer must first be brought before the NJC.

    He added: “By the very logic of the powers of the NJC, cases arising out of a breach of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and the Code of Conduct provision in the Constitution cannot come before the NJC.

    “If the NJC first decides the matter before the defendant is arraigned in court or at the Tribunal, what happens if the NJC finds the defendant liable and removes him from office as a Judge?  In that case, he ceases to be a Judicial Officer as well as a Public Officer.

    “Can he, therefore, be tried as a public officer before the Code of Conduct Tribunal?  The answer is no, because he is no longer a public officer.

    “The extant provisions of the Constitution and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act would be rendered nugatory by a prior NJC involvement.”

    The PACAC chairman faulted arguments that the prosecution ought to comply with the Court of Appeal decision in the case of Nganjiwa vs. F.R.N.

    He said: “It should be noted first that this judgment contradicts the clear provisions of the Code of Conduct as established in the Constitution which gives the Code of Conduct Tribunal jurisdiction over all public officers, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria.  (See 5th Schedule, Part One, of the 1999 Constitution).

    “Moreover, the Court of Appeal in Nganjiwa’s case was directing its judgment to a judicial officer committing an offence in the process of carrying out his duties as a judge in a court namely: demanding bribe from a party to the case before him.

    “Therefore, the ratio decidendi in this case is much narrower in scope than is being touted by our all mighty Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).  Filling an Assets Declaration Form is totally outside the ambit of a judicial officer’s work. It applies to all public officers.

    Read Also: EFCC denies raiding CJN Onnoghen’s house

    “If one may ask – should a drunken judge behind a car steering wheel kill an innocent pedestrian, will the offence be taken before the NJC, before the police can act on the crime?

    “Indeed, inspite of its defects, the Court of Appeal judgment in the Nganjiwa’s case expressly limited reference to the NJC only to cases of a judicial officers’ misconduct in court whilst exercising his authority as judge in case before him in court.

    “According to the court: ‘It must be expressly stated that if a Judicial officer commits theft, fraud, murder or manslaughter, arson and the likes, which are crimes committed outside the scope of performance of his official functions, he may be arrested, interrogated and prosecuted accordingly by the State directly without recourse to the NJC. These classes of criminal act are not envisaged and captured by the provisions of paragraph 21, Part One of the Third Schedule.’

    “This demonstrates the hollowness and invalidity of the argument that every offence committed by a judicial officer must first be brought before the NJC, before the law enforcement agencies can entertain it.”

    Besides, Sagay believes that the NJC cannot be expected to be fair in Chief Justice Onnoghen’s case.

    “Almost all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria have argued that even in a case involving the breach of the Code of Conduct, for which the law has already made express provisions, the matter shall be taken to the NJC rather than to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    “They can’t be serious.  They must obviously be speaking tongue in cheek.  Even a baby, three months old, must realise that no one can get justice against the CJN at the NJC.

    “The CJN is not only the Chairman of the NJC, he is also the appointor of 20 out of the NJC’s 23 members.  The CJN is the NJC.

    “Only a grossly ignorant man or an extremely mischievous one could seriously suggest that a matter involving the CJN should be brought before the NJC for adjudication.

    “Therefore, the whole idea of taking the present case to the NJC is a nonstarter, for that would make the CJN the Chief Judge of his own case – a clear violation, not only of the Constitution, but also of a long standing common law principle coming all the way from MAGNA CARTER in the year 1215,” the PACAC chairman said.

    Sagay was of the view that the substance of the charge against Chief Justice Onnoghen “is deliberately being abandoned by the SANs and some other lawyers.”

    “Why is Nigeria such a Theatre of the Absurd?  Today, we are only talking about preliminary objections, interim injunctions, challenge of jurisdiction, wrong procedure, etc., etc.

    “Nobody is talking about the substantive issue any longer.  That is now lost in the sands of time.

    “Did he do it?  Did he not do it?  The questions we should all be asking are contained in the front page of The Nation Newspaper of Tuesday 15th January, 2019: Did the CJN fail to submit a written declaration of all his assets and liabilities within prescribed period of three months after being sworn it?

    “Did he omit to declare a domiciliary (US dollar) account No. 870001062650 maintained with Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited? Did he falsely omit to declare a domiciliary (Euro) account No. 93001062686 maintained with the bank?

    “Did he falsely omit to declare a domiciliary (Pound Sterling) account No. 285001062679 with the Bank?

    “Did he falsely omit to declare an e-Saver Savings (naira) account No. 5001062963 maintained with the bank? Did he falsely fail to declare naira Account 010001062667?”

    Sagay advised Nigerians not be distracted by what he called a vicious and fraudulent campaign intended to sacrifice the substance and justice of the case on the altar of technicalities, adding that the truth must not be the first casualty in the matter.

     

  • I feel sad over CJN’s trial – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says he is feeling sad over the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, on allegations of false and non-asset declarations.

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) had scheduled Jan. 14 for the arraignment of the CJN.

    However, the process was stalled as the CJN failed to appear before the CCT; and a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja also ordered the CCT to halt proceedings.

    Osinbajo, who spoke at the 2019 Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) conference on Wednesday in Abuja, said that President Muhammadu Buhari had no prior knowledge of the arraignment.

    The theme of the conference is “Free Press and Objective Reporting in the 2019 Election Year.’’

    According to Osinbajo, Buhari’s approach is that institutions should do their work.

    “I can tell you for a fact that he did not even know about this until Saturday evening. He did not even know that there will be any kind of arraignment until Saturday evening.

    “He has said categorically, do not interfere with whatever institutions are doing; sometimes, it has consequences such as we have today; such that people say how can such an important person be subjected to a trial without the Federal Government?

    “But I can tell you without any equivocation whatsoever that he was not even in the know because it is a specific instruction that he gave.

    “So , even where somebody else calls a public officer such as Ibrahim Magu of EFCC and says something or the other, he will say `no, no, no, Mr president has said I can do my work.

    “My take is that I would rather not have a situation where senior members of my profession are being tried for an offence; certainly, I will rather not have that kind of situation.

    “ So, I do not feel particularly good about it; as a matter of fact, I feel very sad; that it is going on at all, that is my position.’’’

    Osinbajo tasked online publishers to go after details and check the facts before publishing; warning that online news was losing credibility.

    Read Also: Buhari, Osinbajo, others lay wreaths for heroes

    The vice president said that elections had heightened ethnic and religious tensions and tended to threaten and challenge Nigeria’s unity and security.

    “So, it is even more so, the case today that we just must be more responsive because anybody on their beds can launch a website, post images from anywhere in the world and tell whatever story he wishes.

    “So, the online publisher is essentially in a poorly regulated space and can publish practically anything, even outright falsehoods.

    “Perhaps because the worst that can happen is a libel action if your publication tarnishes a person’s reputation.

    “The problem with the current situation is that online news may lose credibility; and that is a very bad situation because the loss of credibility is bad for everybody, bad for business and weakens an important social tool of public communication.’’

    He suggested the encouragement and promotion of forums for online practitioners to engage and develop by interaction with others.

    “As for elections, I think it affords an opportunity for an online publication to become well established as a credible and speedy source of news and information.

    “News on election results will be so sought after that anyone who can provide them accurately and in a timely fashion will be the go-to-site, even in the future.

    “The point to bear in mind is that integrity pays. Being the first to break the news, especially when it is unverified, might bring in some traffic initially, but it does not take that long to lose reputation.

    “And once the credibility of the publication is damaged, people will not take the news seriously,’’ he said.

    Earlier in a remark, OPAN President, Mr Austin Ogannah, said that the association as founded in 2011.

    According to him, the idea is to have an association that self regulates practitioners in the online news media; so that members can hold one another accountable.

    Ogannah said that the essence of the conference was to understand objective reporting in an election as captured in the theme

    NAN

  • Hon appointed LPPC member

    Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen has appointed constitutional lawyer Sebastine Hon (SAN) as a member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC). This came as he marked his 51st birthday anniversary and 10 years as a Senior Advocate. Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU reports.

    Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen has appointed Mr Sebastine Hon as a member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).

    The Committee, established by Section 5(3) of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA), is the body responsible for the screening of qualified legal practitioners for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    LPPC is also charged with making rules as to obligations and privileges to be conferred on SANs as well as restrictions and mode of appearance to ensure the dignity of the rank of SAN.

    It is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and comprises 15 other members.

    Chief Justice Onnoghen appointed Hon as LPPC member on January 9.

    This was as Gboko Town in Benue State came alive as family and friends gathered to honour Hon, author of the well cited book: S.T. Hon’s Law of Evidence.

    Dignitaries, including Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, joined Hon in celebrating his 51st birthday.

    The celebrant also marked the 10th anniversary of his being conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    The event, which had morning and afternoon sessions, was held at the Tiv Traditional Council Chambers and at the J.S. Tarka Stadium in Gboko.

    This is as Hon was named a member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).

    Governor Ortom described Hon as a versatile, erudite and learned silk whose life has been eventful and full of achievements within and beyond the legal profession.

    “Your exemplary character, professional conduct and significant contributions to the Bar and the administration of justice in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.

    “As an illustrious son of Benue State, I am proud to identify with your landmark achievements and appreciate you on this momentous occasion.

    “It is my earnest desire that you would continue to make useful contributions to the peace, unity and development of Benue State in particular and Nigeria in general.

    “As you celebrate these auspicious events, I join your numerous friends, colleagues and well-wishers to rejoice with you and your family and  to pray God Almighty to grant you good health, wisdom and strength to continue to serve God and humanity and be a model to the younger generations,” the governor said.

    Customary Court of Appeal President Justice Cosmas A. Idaye who spoke on behalf Benue judges congratulated S.T Hon for his “monumental achievements”.

    “He is an asset not only to Benue State Judiciary, but to humanity in general. He is industrious, humble, loves the poor and humanity in general.

    “He is a home grown product, all the schools he attended were here, he is an inspiration to the youth .

    “A great author, his books are cited in almost the entire superior courts of record in Nigeria including the Supreme Court.

    “Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo described him as a blessing to this generation because of his immeasurable contributions to the legal profession.

    “The Vice President said: ‘I am a Professor of the Law of Evidence, I used to think I was the wisest when it came to the Law of Evidence; but since I started reading S.T. Hon’s Book on Evidence, I realised he is wiser than me. I honestly commend him for the weighty contributions he has made to the development of law in Nigeria.’

    “Prof. Osinbajo is a genius because he taught us the law of evidence in the University of Lagos. So, for him to say this, then it means that the man we celebrating here today is also a genius,” Justice Idaye said.

    In her goodwill massage, the member representing Gboko East Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mrs Agaigbe Utsaha, also felicitated with Hon.

    “The birth of great men is heralded by great events and is usually for a mission. We at Gboko East Constituency and indeed the entire Benue State and Nigeria at large can attest to your doggedness, commitment to service and selflesness as reflected In your contribution to the peaceful co-existence and socio-economic development of our dear state and beyond.

    Gboko East State constituency is an acclaimed beneficiary of your uncommon service to humanity.

    “Our prayers are that the Almighty God, who has richly prospered you and ordered your every step these past years will continue to bless you with good health and fulfillment in the many more years of worthy service ahead of you,” Utsaha said.

    Chief E. K. Ashiekaa (SAN), who chaired the event, described Hon as “extra-ordinary person, an extra-ordinary son of Tiv land, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, an erudite author, a philanthropist and a very hard working person, a man who loves the Tiv and people who come near him”.

    He recalled how Hon encouraged him in his low moments as a lawyer, and spoke of the need for mentorship.

    “We are celebrating an icon in his own chosen career,” Ashiekaa said.

    Special Assistant to Governor Ortom on Community Relations, Hon. Silas Anjie, who chaired the event’s central planning committee, described Hon as humble, hardworking, God-fearing, dogged, diligent, generous and a gentleman.

    He said Hon had a humane disposition and uncommon ability to mix with the under privileged without discrimination.

    “You have contributed in no small measure to the legal profession and the development of the Federation of Nigeria at large,” Anjie stated

    Silas Anjie said Hon contributed to the development of not only the legal profession but the country.

    “These qualities which are the hallmark of greatness have endeared him to the people and earned him admiration, love and respect from people in and outside the state,” Anjie said.

    The 2018 set of the Nigerian Law School graduates who have just been called to the Nigerian Bar presented a big framed photograph to Hon in recognition of his contributions to the development of the State and the legal profession.

    The man Hon

     

    Hon was born on December 9, 1967 in Kano. An indigene of Gboko, Benue State, S.T. Hon attended St. Francis Primary School, Gboko, where he obtained the First School Leaving Certificate in 1980.

    He had a brief secondary education at Mbatiav Secondary School, Ikpenger but later, in 1981, attended Kings Comprehensive College, Mkar, Gboko, where he graduated in 1985.

    Hon also undertook studies at the School of Basis Studies, Makurdi between 1985 and 1987, where he obtained the Interim Joint Admission Board (IJMB) Certificate.

    In that same year 1987, he gained direct admission to study Law at the University of Jos; and he graduated therefrom in 1990.

    He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991, after successfully completing the mandatory one-year programme at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

    In 2008, Hon was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria  (SAN). He was the only applicant elevated that year as an academic owing largely to his quite onerous task of combining research and book writing with legal practice.

    After undertaking mandatory study at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria, Hon was inducted as a Fellow of that Institute, the highest any person can attain in arbitration.

    Court of Appeal President Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa appointed Hon as a member of the Court of Appeal Rules Advisory Committee.

    Hon is the author of many books. He is the co-author of: Management of Primary Schools at the Third Tier of Government in Nigeria: a legal manual (Based on Decree No. 3 of 1991; and published in 1992 during NYSC). He was the only NYSC member of set 1991 to publish a book.

    He is the author of Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence in Nigeria (Based on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and published in 2004).

    Hon is the author of Law of Evidence in Nigeria: Substantive and Procedural (Published in 2006), as well  as Civil Procedure In Nigeria [Federal High Court, State High Courts And FCT Abuja High Court] (Published in 2008).

    His other books are: S.T. Hon’s Law of Evidence in Nigeria, VOLS. I AND II (2012), S.T. Hon’s Constitutional and Migration Law in Nigeria (2016), Nigerian Legal Diction and Phraseology (Manuscript), Nigeria From Medieval Times To The Year 2000: Facts, Figures And Details (Manuscript).