There were strong indications on Wednesday that the Federal Government has opted to continue with the trial of the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

It was confirmed on Wednesday at the CCT that Onnoghen’s lawyers have filed their final address.

The prosecution team is expected to submit its final address today.

Justice Onnoghen is said to have bungled his chances to meet with President Buhari to resolve the impasse amicably in the interest of the Executive and the Judiciary.

After Justice Onnoghen’s resignation, it was not immediately clear whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari would direct that his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal be stopped.

While some government officials wanted the trial concluded, some members of the Bench and the Bar insisted on the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to retire Justice Onnoghen.

Read Also: The fall of Onnoghen
Although the President was said to be weighing options on the NJC’s report, which made recommendations on Justice Onnoghen’s future, a government official said his trial will be concluded.

The source said: “The government will not withdraw the case against Onnoghen in CCT in order not to set a bad precedent.

“We want the case to run its lifespan for posterity and to avoid reading of political meanings into it. When this case started, there was much uproar, that it was politically motivated by the presidency. We want the tribunal to decide the case on merit.

“The NJC’s report also did not say that the trial be halted. It only demanded the retirement of Onnoghen. This is why no directive has been given to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which is prosecuting the case, to withdraw the charges against the CJN.”

The source, who stressed that there was no deal with Justice Onnoghen over his trial, claimed that the CJN bungled his chances to decide his fate in the interest of the Judiciary.

The source added: “There were moves to prevail on the President not to allow the CJN to be on trial in CCT. The first window came from the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) which sent a delegation to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The NBA team wanted soft-landing for Onnoghen. Some terms were agreed upon, including resignation or voluntary retirement by Onnoghen.

“The NBA team was mandated to prevail on him to quit honourably in view of some overwhelming allegations and investigative reports on him. The CJN, who was initially amenable to reconciliation, later backed out.

“The second mediation was about another proposed confidential session between President Buhari and Onnoghen, which was facilitated by some highly-placed Nigerians. They wanted the President to hear from Onnoghen to pave the way for his quiet retirement from office without subjecting him to trial.

“The CJN consented to the session with the President but he aborted it at the last minute without any justifiable cause.

“Onnoghen had over-relied on the outcome of NJC’s investigation – that it would be in his favour. He had no choice than to throw in the towel when the NJC advised Buhari to retire him. It was at this stage he chose to voluntarily leave office.”

Speaking with our correspondent last night, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Muhammed Isah, said: “We have not received any directive from the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami(SAN), who is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to discontinue the case.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/fg-opts-to-continue-onnoghens-trial-as-counsel-submit-final-addresses/

Buhari knows better than to drop such high profile case with lots of Good publicity for his administrations anti-corruption war.

Trump kicked off Jeff Sessions as AG and had been trying hard on US supreme court chief John Roberts but Buhari did it so seemlessly all thanks to corruption and legal advice from VP Professor of law

If he can successfully prosecute a Chief justice of the most populous country in Africa and the foreign media gets the News.. baba would win himself international recognition and investors trust to our economy


.

The case will be adjourned until the FG decided on what to do. I wish the case to go on, so deterrent can be served.

Good move!

Nice One

nollywood trial

Where is the role of the Nigerian people in all of these?!
Gather here if you think Buhari and the Judiciary are taking us for a ride.

Only the APC rag sheet...nation...will carry this

Buhari should free this man

Okay
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anochuko01:
nollywood trial

Yes na.

Shebi you can see Onnoghen eating Akpu with sand and shouting Chei, Chimooo, Abomination!

They should allow him to go in peace jor.

Wisdom is profitable to direct! Dude should have resigned a long time ago, he didn’t. Had an opportunity to meet with the presidency,he didn’t. Now he will be made a laughing stock!

Regardless of political affiliations, you can’t fight God and the Government but what do I know?

If he is found to be guilty, the full weight of the law should be brought upon him and this would serve as deterrent to any office holder and it will also send a clear message that the government is serious about fighting corruption.
But we are in Nigeria where some people are above the law. let's wait and see what the outcome will be.

Buhari the garbage. Use this time to do something meaningful to the country.

I curse the day you were elected and the day u rigged for the second term.

I know you are saint, but remember you are not God.

If you are wise, remember people like Abacha, Gaddafi, Hussein and the rest of the fallen tyrants.

Your case is minor

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Maket:
They should allow him to go in peace jor.

If a judge is accused of robbing you, raping your wife and killing your children, would you say because he resigned from the judiciary, he should go in peace and not stand trial?

[s]

Englishgold:
Buhari the garbage. Use this time to do something meaningful to the country.

I curse the day you were elected and the day u rigged for the second term.

I know you are saint, but remember you are not God.

If you are wise, remember people like Abacha, Gaddafi, Hussein and the rest of the fallen tyrants.

Your case is minor

[/s]

Your curses are as impotent and as empty as Kanu's threats. You're here threatening when Onnoghen your daddy is fighting to stay out of jail.

When he was supposed to engage and resign, he was misbehaving cos people like you egged him on. That's how you people ruined him with bad advice.

Reminds me of that Kenny Rogers song the gambler
"You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run..."

He should have run long ago but he choose to gamble. Now he has lost but still wants his money back.

Buhdeuce:
Wisdom is profitable to direct! Dude should have resigned a long time ago, he didn’t. Had an opportunity to meet with the presidency,he didn’t. Now he will be made a laughing stock!

Regardless of political affiliations, you can’t fight God and the Government but what do I know?

You cant fight the government? Are you kidding me?

Chimaokigwe:


If a judge is accused of robbing you, raping your wife and killing your children, would you say because he resigned from the judiciary, he should go in peace and not stand trial?

I won't but this is a country of paddy, paddy.....do they have the evidence to prosecute him?

Didirin

quote author=iammo post=77442746]

Buhari knows better than to drop such high profile case with lots of Good publicity for his administrations anti-corruption war.

If he can successfully prosecute a Chief justice of the most populous country in Africa and the foreign media gets the News.. baba would win himself international recognition and trust investors to our economy


.[/quote]