Onnoghen closes defence in assets declaration charge

The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen closed his defence in the six-count non assets declaration charge filed against him by the Federal Government before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) sitting in Abuja.

At the resumed trial yesterday, Onnoghen had shelved his earlier resolve to produce three witnesses to debunk the allegation that he did not declare his assets as prescribed by the law.

The suspended CJN had, at the last adjourned date, called his first witness and also persuaded the CCT panel to issue a subpoena to compel a Director at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mrs. Theresa Nwafor, to appear as his second witness.

The proposed witness is currently serving at the CCB office in Edo State.

The application by the suspended CJN to produce her to testify in the matter was not opposed by the prosecution.

Though the tribunal acceded to the request and summoned Mrs. Nwafor to appear as at witness. However, when the matter was called, Justice Onnoghen said he would no longer need her testimony.

The defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), said his client took the decision after “a very deep review of the case.”

According to him, “My lord, after a very deep review and consideration of evidence already before this tribunal, the defence has taken the decision to close our case.

“And pursuant to paragraph 14 of the practice direction of this tribunal, we are applying to file our final written address.

“However, may we most humbly apply for record of the proceedings from the inception of this case? This is because we will need it to be able to appropriately review the entire proceedings.”

Despite plea by defence counsel to be granted at least 14 days to file a final written address, the CCT Chairman, Umar Danladi declined, even as he slated April 15 for the parties to adopt their briefs of argument.

The tribunal said it would, after the parties have adopted their final addresses, fix a date for judgement and to deliver two rulings that are pending in the matter.