Onnoghen Knows Fate Over Allegation Of Non-Asset Declaration By Noon

The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, will Thursday (today) deliver judgment by 12 noon on the case of non-assets declaration preferred against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen.

This development is contrary to 9:00 am scheduled to deliver judgment today on the last adjournment.

Though, suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari, Onnoghen will today know his fate in his capacity as the CJN.

Besides the upcoming verdict, Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar will simultaneously rule on two pending applications filed by the defendant.

Onnoghen through his lead Defence counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo had challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal and, also urged the chairman to withdraw from presiding over the case on allegation of apparent bias.

Danladi rather than decide on the applications earlier resolved to wait until after Onnoghen has concluded his defence.

On this premise, today’s judgement will be delivered with the resolution of the pending applications.

However, as at the time of filing this report, the CCT courtroom is relatively empty.

None of the members of the tribunal, lawyers in the prosecution team and staff of the tribunal is present but a few lawyers in the defence team and some newsmen from various news organisations.