The Code of Conduct Tribunal
(CCT) has adjourned the case against Walter Onnoghen, suspended chief justice
of Nigeria (CJN), till February 13.
The adjournment was sequel to the
application of Adeboyega Awomolo, counsel to Onnoghen. The ex-CJN was absent at
the tribunal like he was on previous occasions.
Aliyu Umar, counsel to the
federal government, did not object to the Awomolo’s application.
While Onnoghen challenged the
jurisdiction to entertain the matter, the federal government counsel asked the
tribunal for an interlocutory order to “cement” an earlier order given by the
CCT chairman.
The CCT had ordered Onnoghen to
step aside and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to swear in the most senior
justice of the supreme court as acting CJN pending when Onnoghen’s case is
determined.
At the tribunal on Monday,
Onnoghen’s lawyer argued that the matter should be adjourned to a later date
because Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), had
petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) against his client.
“Our application is that
proceedings be further adjourned, so it does not result in double jeopardy
before the tribunal and the NJC,” he said.
“In the interest of of due
process we want the NJC to look into this matter.”
The FG counsel said: “I ask that
the matter be adjourned to Thursday.”
He also said the AGF “can
discontinue the matter at the tribunal if he likes.”
Umar said if Onnoghen is not in
court on the next adjourned date “he will ask for appropriate orders.”
However, Danladi Umar, CCT
chairman, insisted that the pending applications before the tribunal be heard.
“I love you, they (appeal court)
realise that I love seeing your beautiful faces,” he said.
In response, Awomolo said: “We
have both agreed for adjournment, the tribunal cannot decide to take the matter
out of our hands.”
At that point, the CCT chairman
accused Onnoghen’s lawyer of “using delay tactics.”
After what appeared to be an
argument between Awomolo and the CCT chairman, the federal government’s counsel
prayed that the tribunal be stood down for 30 minutes.
After about 20 minutes, the CCT
chairman adjourned the case till next week Wednesday.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com