Court Extends Restraining Order Against Justice Onnoghen’s Trial

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has extended the restraining order against the continuation of the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to January 28.

The court presided over by Justice Edward Maha gave the order on Thursday after a counsel representing the respondents informed the court that his client had not been served.

Justice Maha, therefore, ordered a fresh service of the court summons to the respondents and directed that the date of service be included in the proof of service before the next hearing.

Before adjourning the matter, he ruled that the order for parties to maintain the status quo remained in force.

The order included among other things that the trial of Justice Onnoghen, scheduled to continue on January at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), may have to be suspended, pending further directives from the court.

The CJN is standing trial at the tribunal over allegations of non-declaration of assets levelled against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

The original application in the instant case was filed by the incorporated trustees of two groups – the Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative, as well as the International Association of Students Economists and Management.

More to follow…