Onnoghen is facing six charges of non and fraudulent declaration of assets relating to his failure to declare a series of bank accounts, denominated in local and foreign currencies, as required by law.
President Buharicontroversially suspended the top judge in January and inaugurated Justice Tanko Mohammed as the acting CJN based on an order of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCT), a move that attracted outrage from opposition parties and the international community.
President Buhari appointed Tanko Mohammed as acting CJN in January immediately after suspending Onnoghen [Presidency]
Onnoghen turned his resignation letter in to President Buhari late on Thursday, April 4, 2019, according to a report by TheCable.
His decision comes just a day after the National Judicial Council (NJC) reportedly recommended his compulsory retirement due to alleged misconduct.
Onnoghen closes case before CCT
On Wednesday, April 3, Onnoghen closed his case before the Justice Danladi Umar-led CCT where he has protested his innocence against all charges. He only called one witness, Lawal Busari, his personal driver.
“After a deep review of the evidence led by the prosecution and the defence, the defence has come to conclusion and we have closed our case,” Onnoghen’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the tribunal.
Umar gave the defence team three days, till April 8, to file its written addresses before the court after which the prosecution would be allowed three days after, till April 11, to file a written response.
The defence team is then expected to file a reply on points of law on or before April 15 when the court has adjourned till for both parties to adopt their final addresses.
A date would then be fixed for judgement and rulings on already heard applications.
68-year-old Onnoghen was nominated as the Chief Justice by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as Acting President, in February 2017 and was sworn in on March 7, 2017.
Onnoghen is facing six charges of non and fraudulent declaration of assets relating to his failure to declare a series of bank accounts, denominated in local and foreign currencies, as required by law.
President Buharicontroversially suspended the top judge in January and inaugurated Justice Tanko Mohammed as the acting CJN based on an order of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCT), a move that attracted outrage from opposition parties and the international community.
President Buhari appointed Tanko Mohammed as acting CJN in January immediately after suspending Onnoghen [Presidency]
Onnoghen turned his resignation letter in to President Buhari late on Thursday, April 4, 2019, according to a report by TheCable.
His decision comes just a day after the National Judicial Council (NJC) reportedly recommended his compulsory retirement due to alleged misconduct.
Onnoghen closes case before CCT
On Wednesday, April 3, Onnoghen closed his case before the Justice Danladi Umar-led CCT where he has protested his innocence against all charges. He only called one witness, Lawal Busari, his personal driver.
“After a deep review of the evidence led by the prosecution and the defence, the defence has come to conclusion and we have closed our case,” Onnoghen’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the tribunal.
Umar gave the defence team three days, till April 8, to file its written addresses before the court after which the prosecution would be allowed three days after, till April 11, to file a written response.
The defence team is then expected to file a reply on points of law on or before April 15 when the court has adjourned till for both parties to adopt their final addresses.
A date would then be fixed for judgement and rulings on already heard applications.
68-year-old Onnoghen was nominated as the Chief Justice by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as Acting President, in February 2017 and was sworn in on March 7, 2017.
