CCT CONVICTS ONNOGHEN

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal has ordered the forfeiture of five bank accounts belonging to the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, after finding him guilty of false asset declaration.

The forfeiture is part of the punishment  imposed on Mr Onnoghen by the tribunal.

In a ruling delivered by the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, the CCT said the submissions of Mr Onnoghen that he forgot to include some details of his asset in his form was enough evidence to convict him of the charge against him.

According to Mr Umar, the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Onnoghen refused to disclose his accounts in the asset declaration form, despite having the five accounts since 2009.

Invoking the provisions of section 23 of the Tribunal Act, Mr Umar ordered that Mr Onnoghen be removed from office and ruled that he must not hold any public office for10 years.

The other two members of the CCT panel, William Atedze and Jilie Amabor, did not comment on the ruling.

Mr Umar had earlier ruled on a number of interim applications regarding the matter.

On the application challenging CCT’s jurisdiction, Mr Umar said the provisions of the constitution empowered the tribunal to adjudicate on matters relating to allegations of false asset charge without the interference of any external body including the National Judicial Council.

Mr Onnoghen’s lawyer, Okon Efut, who addressed journalists after the ruling, said the former CJN would appeal the ruling.

The suspended CJN was arraigned at the tribunal in January, following allegations he violated the CCB Act.

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