Breaking: Onnoghen’s lawyer faults CCT judgement, says it is unconstitutional
The counsel to the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, has condemned the ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on the case of false asset declaration by his client.
Okon Nkanu Efut (SAN) on Thursday, April 18, said the CCT’s judgement on the matter is a “complete erosion of fundamental human right to fair hearing.”
Efut said even before hearing from Onnoghen, he was removed as the CJN so easily and speedily without reference to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Senate.
“This is not right; it cannot be right. It is unconstitutional,” Efut said.
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He noted that the entire judgement proceeding is an anti-climax because the final judgment was delivered on the same day an ex-parte order was granted for the removal of Onnoghen from office as CJN.
Efut said such act is in total violation of the principles of natural justice and good conscience.
He added that the defence team is not deceived in the proceedings that led to the judgement of the false asset declaration by Onnoghen.
“Whatever we sow as a national, we must surely reap. If we sow justice, we must reap justice. If we sow injustice, as has been done today, we must reap injustice.
“The investigation, the prosecution and adjudication have all been carried out by the executive,” Ekut added.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the CCT had on Thursday, April 18, found Justice Onnoghen guilty of a six-count charges of false asset declaration against him.
The CCT in its judgment said the partial admittance to forgetting to declare of assets by the former CJN is evidence against him on the matter.
The CCT sacked Onnoghen as CJN and chairman of the NJC.
It also banned the former CJN from taking any public office in the next 10 years and forfeiture of all monies in his five accounts which were not declared to the federal government.
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Onnoghen's Trial is Politically Motivated - APRJ | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
Nnenna Ibeh Nnenna Ibeh is a journalist with over 10 years of experience with various media organisations including Premium Times. Being on the front burner of reporting politics and the different dimensions of governance, she is also passionate about girls' education and women's and children's health. With degrees in Journalism, Peace Studies & Conflict Res., and Dev. Studies, Nnenna has worked in the dev. sector as a communications officer for the Centre for Democracy and Dev. email: ibehnnenna@gmail.com
Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature-in-English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. He was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2347057737768.
