Assets Declaration: Court of Appeal fixes January 24 to entertain CJN’s appeal against trial

Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Counsel to Mr Onnoghen filed the appeal challenging the January 14 decision of the tribunal which adjourned until January 22 to commence proceedings on the trial of the CJN. Ruling, Justice Abdul Aboki held that the appellate court had no definitive order to make in the present circumstance and therefore went ahead to fix January 24 to hear the merit of the appeal. It would be recalled that the Federal High Court Abuja, the FCT High Court and the National Industrial had at various times restrained the tribunal from commencing Mr Onnoghen’ trial pending the determinations of suits on the subject matter before them. Emmanuel Omonuwa, Counsel to the federal government had raised objection on the court’s earlier readiness to hear the appeal, adding that he was served with the processes on Friday. According to him, he requires some days to file his responses on the issues raised. He, therefore, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to enable him file his responses. Mr Omonuwa also said there was no need for the court to make any fresh restraining order as three courts in Abuja had already issues restraining orders on the CCT, adding that those orders still subsisted. Mr Onnoghen, in the appeal, is also challenging the CCT’s admission of federal government’s motion asking him to step down as the CJN pending the determination of the petition. The Code of Conduct Bureau instituted an action against the applicant on allegations bothering non-assets declaration. (NAN)]]>