*Preferred to stand in the dock
Proceedings commenced on Friday at about 10.30am in the case involving the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja.
An official of the tribunal, who called the case, informed the tribunal that the defendant (Onnoghen) was in court.
Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar insisted that Onnghen, who had sat on the front seat by the left of the tribunal sitting venue, must enter the dock, a directive the suspended CJN obeyed and went straight into the dock.
Onnoghen rejected a chair given to him to sit on.
He insisted on standing and said he preferred to stand for now.
Upon the request by the prosecution, the tribunal Chairman ordered that the charge be read to the defendant.
An official of the tribunal read the charge to him, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Details shortly…
BREAKING: CCT withdraws arrest warrant against Onnoghen as he pleads not guilty
Onnoghen arriving at the CCT on Abuja.
The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has pleaded not guilty to the six counts of non-declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.
He was immediately granted bail on self-recognisance by the tribunal following a short oral application by the defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN).
After the bail was granted, Uche also applied to the tribunal to adjourn to a date after the general elections.
READ ALSO : JUST IN: Onnoghen rejects tribunal chairman’s seat offer
The request was granted but a date has yet to be picked as of the time of filing this report.
Before the charges were read to him, the suspended CJN’s lead counsel, Uche, applied to the tribunal to withdraw the arrest warrant issued by the CCT against the defendant earlier on Wednesday.
Ruling on the application, the tribunal chairman, agreed with the defence lawyer.
The CCT chairman ordered the withdrawal of the arrest warrant due to Onnoghen’s voluntary submission to the tribunal on Friday.
But he added that the order of arrest was withdrawn on the condition that the suspended CJN would continue to be present in court throughout the period of his trial.
READ ALSO : Breaking: Onnoghen arrives CCT for arraignment
Are you an artiste? Do you want your music to go viral and reach a large number of audience? Promote your music and Submit your story on Ujuayalogusblog.com by clicking here. For Advert Inquiries Tel/+44(0)7590363984
For More: Subscribe to Ujuayalogusblog.com
No comments:
Post a Comment