CCT adjourns Onnoghen’s trial indefinitely

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has indefinitely adjourned the trial of Walter Onnoghen, suspended chief justice of Nigeria.

At its sitting on Monday, the CCT said the trial remains adjourned pending the determination of the application at the appeal court.

The federal government is prosecuting Onnoghen at the CCT for alleged false assets declaration.

Onnoghen had through his lawyers filed an application at the appeal court challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction to sit over the case.

Last week, the appellate court directed the tribunal to stay proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the CJN’s application.

On two occasions, the National Industrial Court (NIC) issued an order restraining the CCT from proceeding with the trial. A federal high court had also ruled against the trial.

At its last sitting, the CCT had said it will proceed with the case, saying the courts have no power to restrain it from performing its constitutional role.

The indefinite adjournment is coming days after President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen over the ongoing trial.

The president acted based on the tribunal’s directive asking him to suspend and replace Onnoghen pending the outcome of the case.

Onnoghen is said to have admitted committing the crimes he is being accused of.

He is, however, asking the court of appeal to determine whether the CCT has jurisdiction over the case without it first being treated by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The appellate court had adjourned till January 30 to rule on the matter.