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Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, today shunned the Code of Conduct Tribunal as his trial for six count charge bordering on alleged failure to declare his assets began on Monday.
The Federal Government went on with the trial despite criticisms and calls for it to stop and follow “the right procedures”
Onnoghen was represented by 71 lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN). Forty-five out of those lawyers were Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
The prosecution was represented by five lawyers led by Aliyu Umar (SAN).
According to Onnoghen, the CCT does not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
Olanipekun stated that the procedure for service was not adhered to based on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Accordng to him, Onnoghen was not personally served and he ought to be served.
But Umar argues that since Onnoghen was served through his Personal Assistant, he had no reason for not being in court for arraignment in order to plead guilty or not guilty.
The Chairman of the tribunal , Danladi Umar, after more arguments from the defence and prosecution, adjourned the case to Tuesday, January 22, 2019, directing that the accused must be properly served this week.