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Court Of Appeal Orders CCT To Stop Proceedings On Onnoghen’s Case

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How Obasanjo Rescued Me From Wrongful Indictment - Onnoghen

Court Of Appeal Ruling, Favours CJN Onnoghen.

In the ongoing  false declaration of assest case against Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), the court of appeal has ordered the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to stay proceedings.

Recall that counsel to the CJN Wole Olanipekun had earlier this week applied for the prosecution process to be suspended indefinitely, while bringing to fore orders from other courts which the CCT had ignored.

A panel of the Abuja division of the appeal court led by Abdul Aboki today , directed the tribunal to stay proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the CJN’s application.

In today’s proceedings, Olanipekun again, told the court that the CCT had vowed not to comply with orders from other courts which it described as court of coordinate jurisdiction except that of the court of appeal.

He, however, emphasised on the issue of jurisdiction raised before the CCT, which according to him was ignored.

Olanipekun argued that if the application is not granted it would affect the judiciary  system in totality and also pose a threat to Nigeria as well as its constitution.

Opposing Olanipekun, Oye Koleosho, counsel to the federal government, said the decision on whether to stay proceedings at the tribunal is at the discretion of the tribunal.

He drew the court’s attention to the fact that the lower tribunal adjourned the hearing of the application challenging its jurisdiction.

The three-man panel led by Aboki fixed January 30 to decide whether the tribunal has jurisdiction to hear the case against the CJN.

Naija News reports that three courts had ordered a stop to the prosecution process of the CJN who is being charged with false assets declaration,

Ever since the case started, the CJN has been absent from his trial while his counsel has been the one speaking for him.

On Tuesday, Aliyu Umar, counsel to the federal government, had urged the tribunal to give a temporary order asking the CJN to “step aside.” Naija News reports.