Removal dispute: FG and ex-CJN Onnoghen opt for out-of-court settlement

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday granted the request of the Federal Government and the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to settle out of court in an appeal challenging his removal from office.

The court’s decision came after receiving information that the two parties involved in the lawsuit had strengthened their efforts to resolve all disputed issues through a “mutually beneficial agreement.”

Persecondnews recalls the contentious 2019 removal of Walter Onnoghen as CJN by former President Muhammadu Buhari, amid ongoing proceedings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

He was convicted and ousted from office after being prosecuted and found guilty at the CCT for falsely declaring his assets.

Onnoghen was also made to forfeit the undeclared assets to the federal government.

Not satisfied with the judgement of CCT, he appealed, praying the Court to set aside the judgment that removed him from office and ordered the forfeiture of his five bank accounts.

During Thursday’s appeal proceedings, Dr. Ogwu Onoja (SAN), counsel to Onnoghen, notified the three-member Appeal Court panel that both parties were engaged in talks to resolve the dispute amicably.

He informed the court that the parties were engaged up until Wednesday and expressed optimism that the discussion would bear fruitful results.

He subsequently appealed to the appellate court for a one-month adjournment for final settlement of the matter.

Mr. Tijani Gazali, representing the federal government, concurred with Onoja’s proposal and asked the court to postpone the matter to explore the possibility of an amicable resolution.

He said: “My Lords, I wish to humbly confirm the information. It is our position to settle the matter out of court.”

Justice J. O. Oyewole instructed the parties to submit the terms of their settlement once they’ve reached an agreement, which will then be adopted by the court.

Oyewole held that before the adjourned date, the court must document and file the terms of the settlement for it to adopt them as its judgment in the case.

He subsequently adjourned until Nov. 4 as the return date for the two parties.