The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, has adjourned the trial of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, till March 11.
Onnoghen, who was indicted and charged before the tribunal last month, on charges of non-declaration of assets, was arraigned today (Friday) and his plea taken.
He entered a plea of not guilty to the six count charges preferred against him by the Federal Government and was granted bail on self recognition.
The suspended CJN had initially refused to appear before the tribunal to answer to the charges until the Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, issued a Bench Warrant for his arrest last Wednesday, February 13.
The tribunal chairman had earlier insisted on adjourning the matter till February 21 in defiance to an agreement between the prosecuting team led by Ibrahim Musa and the defence team led by Chris Uche (SAN).
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Refusing to yield to the pleas of both the prosecution and the defence to adjourn the trial to either March 18 or 11 which they had agreed on, the tribunal chairman kept shaking his head and contorting his lips in disagreement insisting on his date.
However, after consultations with the other members of the tribunal as well a relentless plea by both counsel that he should allow the March 2 governorship and House of Assembly to be over before the next sitting, the tribunal chairman agreed and adjourned till March 11 for the hearing of all pending applications by both the defence and the prosecution.
After Friday’s proceedings, Onnoghen’s lead counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), speaking with journalists said concerning the arraignment of the Nigeria’s highest judicial officer; “It is a very sad day for democracy, a very sad day for Nigeria.
“It is a struggle for the maintenance of the due process and it is a struggle for separation of powers.
“The CJN had to suffer the indignity of coming before this tribunal to take his plea.
“But we are happy that the world will now know the truth that there is more to this case.”
