Breaking: CCT Grants FG’s Request for Onnoghen’s Arrest

Pat Stevens/

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has ordered both the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of DSS to arrest the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Delivering a ruling of the three-man tribunal, the Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar, ordered the security agencies to produce Onnoghen at the tribunal on Friday.

The ruling followed an application by the prosecution for an order for Onnoghen’s arrest owning to his persistent absence at the trial.

The tribunal dismissed the objection raised by the defence to the application and ordered that Onnoghen should be produced at the CCT on Friday.

‎The lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN), had argued that the consistent absence of the CJN from the CCT was a violation of provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Umar supported his application for Onnoghen’s arrest with section 6(1) of the Practice Direction of the CCT.

He also opposed the request by the lead defence counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), that the tribunal should hear all pending applications.

Umar maintained that by virtue of section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 no objections could be raised by the defendant until he took his plea.

The prosecuting counsel said since Onnoghen has not taken his plea, the objection by him could not be heard.

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