Asoegwu Kingsl|ey
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the Federal Government planned arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Chief Walter Onnoghen. Though the directive came after the CCT trial had been adjourned to the 22nd of January. The Federal Government through the code of conduct tribunal had filled six counts of non-declaration of assets against the CJN on Friday.
The trial of the embattled CJN began today though the CJN was absent from court but a team of 47 senior lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun were present to extricate him from the alleged charges.
Justice N.E Maha ruling on two seperate applications on monday ordered parties to maintain status quo till january 17. He gave ruling in the two different suits that the defendants should be served with all the papers filled and they should appear in court at the next hearing.
The applications were filed before the Federal High Court while the CCT proceedings where Onnoghen who was absent from the CCT trial was expected to be arraigned was ongoing.
Justice Maha in his ruling ruled that no steps should be taken in respect of the CCT trial until January 17 when all parties to the two suits should return to court for the hearing of the plaintiffs’ motion on notice. The ruling came shorty after the CCt trial had been adjourned.