Appeal Court Acquits Former CJN Onnoghen of False Assets Declaration Charges
Background of the Case Against Justice Onnoghen
In a significant ruling, the Court of Appeal in Abuja acquitted former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, of false asset declaration charges that had led to his controversial removal from office in 2019. The case traces back to January 2019, when former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen from his role as CJN, barely a month before the presidential election. This sudden decision was met with widespread controversy, as it involved the swearing-in of Justice Tanko Muhammad, the next most senior Supreme Court justice, to oversee the judiciary.
Justice Onnoghen’s suspension came shortly after he announced his intention to inaugurate judges who would preside over election petition tribunals. This timing sparked mixed reactions nationwide, with legal bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemning the move as a "coup against the judiciary."
Conviction by the Code of Conduct Tribunal
The charges against Onnoghen escalated when he was tried before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on a six-count charge of corruption filed by the Federal Government. The tribunal ultimately convicted him, alleging that he had failed to declare certain assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau, which is mandated to monitor public officials’ asset declarations. This conviction cemented Onnoghen's exit from office and led to the seizure of his assets.
Appeal and Subsequent Acquittal by the Court of Appeal
Six years after his conviction, Justice Onnoghen's legal journey reached a turning point. A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, chaired by Justice Mohammed Bello, reviewed his case and ultimately acquitted him. This decision followed a settlement agreement facilitated by the federal government and endorsed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The federal government, in its plea before the appellate court, urged it to discontinue further hearings on the appeals filed by Onnoghen. These appeals had sought to challenge his removal, conviction, and the subsequent asset seizure.
Outcome of the Settlement Agreement
As part of the settlement terms, dated October 24, the Court of Appeal ordered the federal government to unfreeze Justice Onnoghen’s account with Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, effectively restoring his access to previously restricted funds. This court ruling marks a legal victory for Onnoghen, closing a contentious chapter in Nigeria’s judicial history
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