Appeal Court Acquits Former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen of False Assets Declaration Charges

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has cleared former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, of his 2019 conviction by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for false asset declaration. The decision reverses Onnoghen’s prior conviction, bringing closure to a high-profile case that has raised significant questions about judicial independence and due process.

The court’s verdict, delivered by Presiding Justice Abba Mohammed, affirms a settlement reached between the federal government and Justice Onnoghen, officially discharging and acquitting him of all charges. The judgment also mandates the return of four bank accounts previously forfeited during the proceedings.

Settlement Terms: Jurisdictional Dispute Resolved

The terms of the settlement highlighted critical jurisdictional issues regarding the role of the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Key among these points was that the tribunal acted outside its jurisdiction in handling the case, given that the National Judicial Council (NJC) was bypassed. Additionally, the tribunal’s authority was further questioned because Onnoghen had voluntarily submitted his retirement letter, which was accepted by the presidency, rendering further proceedings unnecessary.

The appeal court’s decision effectively rules that all future disciplinary actions against judicial officers must first pass through the NJC, preserving its role as the primary regulatory body for the judiciary.

Counsel’s Response

Following the judgment, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adegboyega Awomolo, who represented Justice Onnoghen, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi for facilitating a resolution to the long-standing legal conflict. The appeal court’s ruling is seen by legal experts as a significant affirmation of judicial process and the autonomy of Nigeria’s judiciary.