The Court of Appeal has delivered a landmark judgment, discharging former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen of false assets declaration charges. This significant reversal overturns the earlier judgment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that convicted Onnoghen in 2019.
Background of the Case
Walter Onnoghen, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019 due to allegations of false assets declaration. Specifically, he was accused of owning several undeclared bank accounts, which appeared to have been run in a manner inconsistent with financial transparency and the code of conduct for public officials.
Onnoghen’s troubles began when a petition was filed by the civil rights group at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) alleging that he owned sundry accounts primarily funded through cash deposits made by himself up to August 10, 2016. The trial commenced on January 14, 2019, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, but Onnoghen was absent, faulting the summons procedure.
Following his absence again on January 22, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari suspended him and appointed Tanko Ibrahim as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. Onnoghen’s suspension was met with widespread criticism, with many describing it as a judicial coup and an overthrow of constitutional governance.
The Appeal Court’s Decision
The appeal court’s decision marks a significant victory for Onnoghen, who had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. The court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, and that the charges against Onnoghen were baseless.
Implications of the Judgment
