The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has
convicted the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen and has
banned him from holding any public office for the next 10 years.
He was
convicted on a six-count charge of false declaration of assets.
Chairman of
the CCT, Danladi Umar, while delivering the judgment on Thursday, read that
Onnoghen will be removed from office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the
Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Mr. Danladi
held that the Federal Government had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the
suspended Chief justice breached the Code of Conduct for public officers.
The CCT also
directed that all monies in the account which he failed to declare between 2009
and 2015 will be seized and fortified to the Federal Government based on the
fact that he failed to show the tribunal how he acquired the monies in that
account.
Journey Of Justice Onnoghen
October 10,
2016: NJC recommended Justice Onnoghen as CJN to President Muhammadu
Buhari.
November 11,
2016: As most senior at the Supreme Court Justice Walter Onnoghen took over
leadership of the judiciary in an acting capacity.
February 7,
2017: Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo transmitted Onnoghen’s name to the Senate
for confirmation as substantive CJN.
March 1,
2017: Senate screened and confirmed Onnoghen.
March 7,
2017: Onnoghen was sworn in as the 17th substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria
(CJN) by the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.
January 7,
2019: A civil society group, Anti-corruption, and Research-based Data
Initiative (ARDI), petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), listing a
number of allegations against Justice Onnoghen notably non-declaration of
assets.
January 12,
2019: The CCB announced that it had filed a six-count charge against
Onnoghen at the CCT.
January 14,
2019: Trial began at CCT with Justice Onnoghen absent
January 22,
2019: The Federal Government asked Onnoghen to step aside from office.
January 25,
2019: Onnoghen was suspended and replaced by Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.
January 26,
2019: The United States issued a statement on Onnoghen’s suspension.
January 29,
2019: Onnoghen sued the Federal Government over his suspension.
January 30,
2019: Onnoghen lost bid to stop his trial at the CCT.
February 13,
2019: CCT ordered Onnoghen’s arrest.
February 15,
2019: Onnoghen finally appeared at CCT and pleaded not guilty.
April 1,
2019: Onnoghen opened defence at the tribunal.
April 3,
2019: Onnoghen closed defence at CCT.
April 4,
2019: Onnoghen reportedly resigned as CJN.
April 15,
2019: Tribunal fixes Thursday 18th April to deliver judgment on Onnoghen’s
trial.
April 18,
2019: CCT removes Justice Onnoghen as CJN, bans him from holding public office
for the next 10 years.
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