UPDATED: CCT Adjourns Onnoghen's Trial Till Feb. 13th, As CCT Chair Insists On Onnoghen’s Appearance

* CCT Chair insists on Onnoghen’s appearance The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar has directed the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to appear before the tribunal in person before any further businesses could be conducted in the case pending against him. Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT),  accused the Adeboyega Awomolo, SAN, counsel to Walter Onnoghen, suspended chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), of applying delay tactics to stall proceedings. Umar made the accusation at the resumption of hearing on the case against Onnoghen on Monday. Umar gave the directive at the resumption of proceedings in the case on Monday, shortly before agreeing to the request by parties for adjournment to February 13. He said: “Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), a defendant, who is served with a charge and represented by lawyers, must take his plea before raising any objection. “The defendant has continued to stay away from this tribunal. I am going to grant this adjournment at the instance of the prosecution and defence, but must state that the defendant must attend court at the next adjourned date so that all the issues would be resolved in his presence.” Awomolo had applied for an adjournment till Thursday because of a petition submitted to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against his client. The lawyer said the NJC would meet on Wednesday on the petition, the tribunal should adjourn so that it “it does not result in double jeopardy.” Aliyu Umar, counsel to the federal government, agreed to the adjournment but the CCT chairman said since the matter has been slated for hearing both lawyers “must” move their applications already pending before the court. “That [petition against Onnoghen at NJC] has nothing to do with the tribunal,” the CCT chairman said. “Why are you using delay tactics?” At the point, Awomolo was visibly angry. He said in his over 40 years at the bar, he has never done such. The FG counsel intervened and asked that the tribunal is stood down for 30 minutes. 11: 21 am: CCT ADJOURNS TILL FEB. 13TH

11: 17 am: After tensed arguments and emotions between Defence Counsel Adegboyega Awomolo and CCT Chair Danladi Umar on whether to take applications or not, CCT adjourns to Feb. 14. Both parties later apologised after a 30mins break. 11; 15 am; Prosecutor Umar says “But if on Thursday Onnoghen does not come to court, I will ask for the appropriate orders against him.” Eg Bench Warrant of Arrest on Onnoghen. 11: 13 am; Awomolo says no harm would be done to all parties if case is adjourned until the outcome of the NJC. Prosecution Counsel Aliyu Umar agrees to the application. 11:09 am; Defence Counsel Adegboyega Awomolo says the same petition against CJN Walter Onnoghen sent to Code of Conduct Tribunal has now been forwarded to NJC for investigation by the AGF. He is asking for an adjournment pending the 09 the out come. 11: 00am The trial of Nigeria’s suspended Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen has resumed at a special court for trying assets declaration cases in Abuja. TheNigerialawyer reports that the Onnoghen is once more absent.]]>