The Federal Government, through the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), has charged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen with non-declaration of assets.
In a six-count charge filed earlier this week by officials of the CCB at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja, Onnoghen was accused of failing to declare some assets allegedly traced to him, as required by law.
CCT’s spokesman, Ibraheem Al-Hassan, who confirmed the existence of the charge, said the tribunal has scheduled January 14 for arraignment.
Al-Hassan said the fixing of the date of arraignment was informed by an application filed on January 11 this year, by the CCB, seeking that the case be set down for hearing.
He said a copy of the charge has been served on the CJN as required. He was silent on when the silent on when service was effected.
Al-Hassan said, in a statement: “The Code of Conduct Tribunal has scheduled Monday, 14th of January for the commencement of trial in the charge the against current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Onnoghen Nkanu Walter Samuel for alleged non declaration of asset.
“This was consequent upon an application filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau to the CCT Chairman yesterday (January 11) for the trial to commence against the Chief Justice of Nigeria on six count charges. However, service of summons has been effected on the dependant.
“The application was filed yesterday by the operatives of CCB, dated 11th January, 2019 and signed by Musa Ibrahim Usman (Esq) and Fatima Danjuma Ali (Esq), containing six counts charges, all bordering on non-declaration of asset.
“The three-man panel, led by Justice Danladi Y. Umar, will commence the trial on Monday, 14th January, 2019 at the CCT courtroom, situated at the headquarters, along Jabi Dakibiyu, Saloman Lar way, Abuja, at about 10:00am.”