Just In: Appeal Court Gives Fresh Judgment on Conviction of Former CJN Onnoghen
- The court of appeal in Abuja, on Monday, November 4, reversed the conviction of former CJN, Walter Onnoghen, by the CCT on charges of asset declaration breaches in 2019
- A three-member panel of the court led by Mohammed Bello acquitted Onnoghen of the charges, following the joint filing of a settlement agreement by the federal government and Onnoghen
- The court also ordered the unfreezing of Onnoghen’s account with Standard Chartered Bank, which was frozen as part of the sentence for the CCT conviction
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over nine years of experience covering public affairs and governance.
FCT, Abuja - The Abuja division of the court of appeal, on Monday, November 4, discharged the former chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.
Legit.ng reports that the appeal court's verdict was related to the alleged false asset declaration. The court held that the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) lacked jurisdiction over the matter.
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Appeal court acquits ex-CJN Onnoghen
The appeal court, in its judgment, acquitted Onnoghen.
Abba Mohammed, the presiding judge, ordered that the former CJN’s four bank accounts be returned to him.
The appellate court held:
“The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) also lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter without resorting to the National Judicial Council (NJC)."
“The bank accounts maintained by the appellant with Standard Chartered Bank (Nig) Limited, Wuse 2, Abuja, that were frozen by the judgment, shall be unfrozen forthwith.
“Parties shall take all steps necessary to give positive effect to these terms of settlement.
“In consequence, the appellant herein is hereby discharged and acquitted.”
Read more on Walter Onnoghen:
- 'I was removed as CJN over rumours I met with Atiku', Onnoghen says
- Ex-CJN Onnoghen opens up on his trial, says he was not given fair hearing
- The consequences of my action still haunting me - Man whose petition led to Onnoghen’s travail
Appeal court sacks PDP lawmaker
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the court of appeal in Enugu delivered a verdict that changed the representation of Igboeze North/Udenu federal constituency.
Simon Atigwe, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, was sacked as the federal legislator.
The appeal court upheld the ruling of the house of representatives tribunal, declaring Dennis Nnamdi Agbo of the Labour Party (LP) as the rightful winner of the February 25, 2023, national assembly election.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
