Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr.
Okon Efut, who led the former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen’s
defence team at Thursday’s proceedings of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, has
reacted to the judgment.
The CCT, had on Thursday, banned
Onnoghen from holding public office for 10 years.
In his judgment over alleged
non-asset declaration against Onnoghen, the Chairman of CCT, Danladi Umar also
removed Onnoghen from office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman,
National Judicial Council, NJC.
Umar ruled that all Onnoghen’s
monies deposited in his Standard Chatered Bank account in Wuse 2, Abuja be
confiscated, seized and forfeited.
Reacting, Onnoghen’s lawyer,
speaking with journalists on the premises of the CCT after judgment was passed
on his client, said that the conviction of the former CJN would be appealed at
the Court of Appeal.
He described the judgment as
unconstitutional, adding that it was in breach of the ex-CJN’s right to fair
hearing.
He said, “We know that all is not
over in this matter. The wheel of justice grinds slowly. It grinds slowly but
surely. But this is not a matter that will end here.
“We shall avail ourselves of all
the processes and the hierarchy of the judiciary.
“The udgment was premeditated,
saying it had been passed as far back as January 23 when the tribunal ordered
Onnoghen’s suspension without hearing him.
“The conviction is
unconstitutional. It is a breach of fair hearing.
“Before this day, on January 23,
2019, the same judgment had been passed, removing the Chief Justice of Nigeria
without fair hearing.
“So, it was fait accompli, it was
premeditated. Judgment has been passed before today. Today’s judgment is just a
formality.
“We hold the view that the
tribunal has not only breached the Constitution of Nigeria, it has breached the
fundamental principles of natural justice, equity and good conscience.
“It has not only been able to
pass judgment, it has convicted on an offence that was never charged.
“This is an erosion of the
fundamental principles of our Constitution and until some questions are
answered, for instance, why is it that the due course of justice was not
allowed to flow?”
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