The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Wednesday issued a bench warrant for the arrest and subsequent arraignment of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
CCT Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, issued the warrant to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest Justice Onnoghen and bring him to the Tribunal unfailingly on Friday.
He gave the order on Wednesday and directed the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) to join in arresting the suspended CJN and compel him to be at the Tribunal.
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“The inspector general of police is hereby ordered to arrest and bring the defendant to court unfailingly on the next sitting of the court on Friday,” Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Danladi Umar said.
Onnoghen was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari last month pending the tribunal’s verdict on his alleged violation of asset declaration.
The suspension has led opponents of Buhari to accuse him of interfering in the electoral process and of showing regional and religious favouritism. The European Union and the United States have also voiced concerns.
Nigeria’s chief judge has a leading role in resolving electoral disputes. Onnoghen, also faces a query from Nigeria’s top legal body, the National Judicial Council.
Onnoghen could not be reached to comment.
The CCT said on Jan. 12 that Onnoghen would face six counts of alleged non-declaration of assets. The allegations were initially made by Dennis Aghanya, who served as Buhari’s media aide between 2009 and 2011. The charges are yet to be disclosed.
