CCT panel okays stand-down to rule on motion to stop CJN’s trial

A Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) which sat today in Abuja, has okayed a stand-down to rule on motion to stop the Walter Onnoghen, CJN’s trial (Chief Justice of Nigeria) brought to the court by the Nigerian government.

On deciding if it would okay indefinite adjournment of the criminal charge the Federal Government entered against the CJN, the Justice Danladi Umar’s led three-member tribunal said it will reconvene by 1:30pm to relay their decision.

This came after the lead counsel to Justice Walter Onnoghen, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, drew attention of the tribunal to two different high court orders, as well as an order of the National Industrial Court, stopping trial of the CJN pending determination of the cases.

Though the lead counsel for the Nigerian government who disclosed that they deliberately refrained from applying for a bench warrant to be issued against the CJN for failing to appear for his scheduled arraignment, opposed the application of the stand-down motion, it left the issue at the discretion of the tribunal.