Court dismisses Justice Onnoghen’s appeal

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, had yesterday filed a suit against the federal government over his suspension.

The appeal was filed before the Court of Appeal by his lawyers: Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Kanu Agabi (SAN) and James Onoja.

He based his appeal on the fact that he was not given a fair hearing by the CCT, before the order to swear-in Justice Tanko Muhammad was issued, and questioned the powers of the CCT to do so.

The appeal read in part: “The chairman and a member of the Code of Conduct Tribunal erred in law and violated the right of the appellant (Onnoghen) to a fair hearing, when they made the order ex parte that he (Onnoghen) shall step aside as CJN and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, over allegations of contravening provisions of the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act Cap C15 Laws of the Federation 2004 pending the determination of the motion on notice dated January 10, 2019.”