Suspended Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal today, Friday, pleading not guilty to charges of failure to declare his assets as provided for in the nation’s constitution.
The Chairman of the Tribuna, Danladi Umar, had on Wednesday, ordered the arrest of the suspended Chief Judge after he failed to show up for trial at the previous hearings.
Justice Onnoghen came to the court today, voluntarily and formally entered a not guilty plea to six charges related to the non-disclosure of foreign currency bank accounts.
He was granted bail and the case was adjourned until March 11.
Speaking after the hearing, prosecutor, Musa Ibrahim described it as “a sad day” for the legal profession.
“But law is law. “The entire legal profession is on trial if the chief justice of Nigeria is on trial.”
Onnoghen’s lawyer, Chris Uche, said that the case was a “struggle for the maintenance of the independence of the judiciary … the rule of law … (and) for the separation of powers.
“Today, his lordship had to suffer the indignity of coming before this tribunal to take his plea,” he said, expressing confidence that Onnoghen would be exonerated.
“The world will eventually know the truth and know that there is more behind this prosecution.”
As the head of the Supreme Court, Onnoghen would have played a key role in any dispute over the result of this weekend’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
Buhari has previously expressed frustration that the court had overturned corruption convictions, including of some opposition politicians.
