The Federal Government has announced its intention to amicably settle the legal dispute involving former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.
Onnoghen, who was ousted from his position in 2019 following a conviction by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for false asset declaration, is currently challenging the ruling through an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
During a court session on Tuesday, Tijjani Gazali, representing the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), disclosed the government’s approach to resolving the matter. Gazali, who is the acting director of civil litigation at the Ministry of Justice, stated that efforts are underway to address Onnoghen’s concerns through dialogue rather than extended legal battles.
Onnoghen, who attended the court session, is seeking to overturn the CCT’s verdict, arguing that he was denied a fair trial and that the tribunal chairman exhibited bias. He also maintains that only the National Judicial Council (NJC) has the authority to discipline a judicial officer, not the CCT.
Gazali noted that the case file had recently been transferred to the Ministry of Justice after the passing of the former counsel, Aliyu Umar, in 2020. Consequently, he requested an adjournment to allow sufficient time for proper case preparation.
Onnoghen’s attorney, Chris Uche, agreed to the adjournment but urged the court to expedite the proceedings. The appellate court granted the request and rescheduled the case for September 19, 2024.
