The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Thursday approved the prayer of
the Defence counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, to the suspended Chief
Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen, to address the tribunal on a
no-case submission.
This was after the Federal Government closed its case of false and
non-declaration of charges preferred against the Onnoghen, at the Code
of Conduct Tribunal.
Although, the prosecution led by Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN) had proposed to
call six witnesses to prove its case against the defendant, it closed
its case after calling three of them.
Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar announced his decision to close the prosecution’s case after the third witness, Ifeoma Okeagbue, an official of Standard Chartered Bank, concluded her testimony on Thursday.
The prosecuting counsel said he had chosen to offer to the defence
team the rest of his proposed witnesses, three of them, who were not
called by the prosecution.
But the lead defence counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN),
rejected the offer as Onnoghen had opted to file a no-case submission at
tribunal.
The new development has since stirred reactions online from Nigerians.
Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST from Twitter:
@Chxta “The Onnoghen case (FG has rested its case), lays bare the
dangers, and madness, of media trials. But then, these people don’t
care. Their (short term) goal has been achieved. We’ll be left to pick
the pieces up of the desecration of our third arm of government
eventually.”
@YoungOtutu “With Justice #Onnoghen victory over the federal
government and his sure reinstatement any moment from now. I want to use
this medium to congratulate the incoming president of Nigeria Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar.We are sure to coast to victory at the tribunals.”
@SamEba_ “For all those who labelled Onnoghen a criminal, may disgrace never depart from them.”
@Kcnaija “They just wanted the man out to manipulate election tribunal. Rogues claiming integrity!
@CeoNigeria “This Onnoghen case is highly pathetic. Imagine after the
public ridicule, FG suddenly found nothing and closed the case. Thank
God I resigned from political Twitter. Discussing Nigerian politics is
emotionally draining! What’s for dinner please?
@Musa_BM “As a Buharist, i’m saddened by the Onnoghen’s case which
was closed. He was embarrassed and ridiculed on something that was not
properly investigated and checked. Clarity of perspective should always
be considered when dealing with delicate issues.”
@Ummita71 “Onnoghen should resign as for me, since God has vindicated
him, he should protest the ill treatment melted at him. He doesn’t
deserve to be treated like that, a highly respected man, I knew there
was much to his suspension.”
@beulahland17 “What’s going on here, FG closes case doesn’t mean the
case is over or the man is innocent, it simply means it’s time for
defense to open its case, these are legal terms.”
@Ogomkpuma “Almighty God, please when you want to punish Nigeria for
the humiliation of CJN Onnoghen please remember us that spoke against
his media trial but were dismissed and called criminals by APC
Hypocrites. Lord have mercy.”
@Jeremiah_James “The case of Onnoghen is really painful because some
persons used a sitting CJN to score cheap political points. The guts it
took. I just pray he’s cleared and reinstated and to think we have a SAN
as VP.