…CJN absent from court
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has adjourned proceedings involving the charges of non-declaration of assets preferred against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The proceedings were adjourned till January 22.
The tribunal adjourned the case after the lead prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Umar (SAN), conceded that Onnoghen was not properly served with the charges and the summons.
Umar agreed that the CJN was not personally served with the charges and the court’s summons, as required by the law. He, therefore, requested the tribunal to direct a fresh service on the CJN.
Wole Olanipekun had earlier told the tribunal that he and other defence lawyers only appeared in court in protest against the jurisdiction of the tribunal.
He also said that, from the account given by the court official earlier in the proceedings, the CJN was not served with the charges and summons personally, but through his aide.
He then insisted that the law requires that the defendant be served personally.
Meanwhile, the trial of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has commenced without him in attendance.
The CJN is represented by a team of lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN). Over 70 lawyers including 47 Senior Advocates of Nigeria are representing the CJN.
Wole Olanipekun during the session insists that the CJN does not need to appear in court when he has not been properly served.
The Prosecution then conceded that they did not serve the CJN properly and asked the tribunal to order personal service on the CJN. The prosecution agrees that the law says that the CJN must be served personally.
The lawyers in his defence including Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi, Wole Olanipekun, Chief Chris Uche, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo are however present in court.
Five out of the six governors that make up the South-South Governors Forum have earlier asked the CJN not to honour the summons from the Code of Conduct Bureau to appear before the tribunal.
The governors made the call after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Sunday.
-Channels Television.
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