Nigeria Top Judge Pleads Not Guilty of False Assets Declaration

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria’s Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen pleaded not guilty to charges of false declaration of his assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in the capital, Abuja.

Onnoghen appeared at the court on Friday for the first time since charges were filed against him on Jan. 11 after tribunal Chairman Danladi Umar issued a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday. The chief justice, who was suspended from office by President Muhammadu Buhari on Jan. 25, was granted bail following a request by his lawyer, Chris Uche, and further hearing was adjourned to March 11.

Buhari’s move against Onnoghen, just weeks before Saturday’s presidential election, was criticized by the legal community, including the Nigerian Bar Association, which said it was contrary to constitutional provisions that all complaints against the chief justice must first be dealt with by the National Judicial Council.

Onnoghen has challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal, with a hearing currently pending in the Court of Appeal. The NJC has held meetings on the matter but it hasn’t issued a decision yet.

 “Today is indeed a very sad day for the judiciary, a very sad day for democracy and a very sad day for Nigeria,” Onnoghen’s lawyer Uche told reporters after the session. “What we are here for is to fight for due process. All we’re saying is let the right thing be done.”

The U.S., the U.K. and the European Union have expressed concern that Buhari’s suspension of Onnoghen could harm the legitimacy of the election as the Supreme Court may adjudicate disputes arising from the vote.

The race between Buhari, a 76-year-old former general, and businessman and ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar, 72, is expected to be tight.

 Source: Bloomberg Business News