The trial of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter
Onnoghen, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal CCT, could not continue today because
of his failing health. Onnoghen is being tried over his failure to declare all
his assets after assuming office in March 2017.
At the resumed hearing today, his counsel, Adeboyega
Awomolo, tendered a letter from the CJN, explaining that he developed issues
with his tooth and could not make it to court.
Also the prosecutor, Aliyu Umar, told the court that he had
also received a copy of the letter as well as a medical report indicating that
the former CJN had a high blood pressure and was given a 72-hour bed rest.
He added that the health of a defendant is as important as
the case on the ground and in the light of that, he would concede that the
absence is on medical grounds.
Having considered the situation, the chairman of the
tribunal then adjourned the case thill March 18th.
