Suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, centre
ABUJA, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s most senior judge appeared in a court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose assets in a politically charged case on the eve of elections.
Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen failed to show up to previous hearings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja, which hears cases of ethics breaches by public officials.
On Wednesday, tribunal chairman Danladi Umar ordered that he be arrested if he did not turn up.
Onnoghen came to the court voluntarily and formally entered a not guilty plea to six charges related to the non-disclosure of foreign currency bank accounts.
He was granted bail and the case was adjourned until March 11.
Speaking after the hearing, prosecutor Musa Ibrahim described it as “a sad day” for the legal profession.
“But law is law,” he said. “The entire legal profession is on trial if the chief justice of Nigeria is on trial.”
Onnoghen’s lawyer, Chris Uche, said the case was a “struggle for the maintenance of the independence of the judiciary … the rule of law … [and] for the separation of powers”.
“Today, his lordship had to suffer the indignity of coming before this tribunal to take his plea,” he said, expressing confidence that Onnoghen would be exonerated.
“The world will eventually know the truth and know that there is more behind this prosecution.” — NNN-AGENCIES