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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued an order restraining the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) from going ahead with the arraignment and trial of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The court, presided over by Justice E. N. Maha, granted an ex parte injunction restraining the CCT from proceeding with the hearing of the case involving the CJN, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit pending before it.
The order also restrains the Attorney General, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as well as the police from arraigning, charging or arresting the CJN.
This comes after the CCT which began sitting on Monday adjourned the case to Tuesday, January 22.
The case was adjourned after the prosecution team led by Aliyu Umar (SAN) conceded that Onnoghen was not personally served as required by law.
Although Onnoghen was absent, his legal team led by Wole Olanipekun, told the tribunal that his client was not properly served the summons to appear. He also said the CCT had no jurisdiction to entertain the case against the CJN.
The tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar adjourned the case after directing that the accused be personally served this week for the matter to commence next week.
Onnoghen is facing charges bordering on non-declaration of his assets as CJN.