Onnoghen closes case at CCT after calling a witness

Suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen ended his defence yesterday in his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). He is being tried for alleged breach of the code of conduct for public officers.

Justice Onnoghen, who called his personal driver, Lawal Busari, as his first witness on Monday, failed yesterday, to call more witnesses.

His lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) had, on Monday informed the tribunal that the defence would call between two to three witnesses, including Mrs. Theresa Nwafor, a director, on whom a subpoena was issued at the instance of the defence.

Mrs. Nwafor was expected to appear before the tribunal yesterday as Justice Onnoghen’s witness.

The defendant was expected to resume his defence when the case was called only for his lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN) to inform the tribunal that the defendant was done with his case.

Uche, while addressing the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, said:”My lords, today is for continuation of trial.

“But my lords, after a deep review of the evidence led by the prosecution and the defence, the defence has come to conclusion and we have closed our case.

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“Pursuarnt to paragraph 14 of the Practice Direction of this honourable tribunal, we apply to file our final written addresses.”

Uche prayed the tribunal for 14 days to enable him file his client’s  final written address.

Lead prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar (SAN), said the defence informed him before hand that it would close its case yesterday.

Umar urged the tribunal to allocate time to the parties as it wishes.

The tribunal’s chairman directed the defence to file and serve its address on or before April 8.

He also directed the prosecution to file and serve its address on or before April 11.

The tribunal chairman added that should there be need for a reply on point of law, it should be filed on or before April 15.

He adjourned to April 15 for parties to adopt their final written addresses, following which a date would be fixed for judgment and rulings on already heard applications that had been heard.

One of the applications on which ruling is reserved is that challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the charge against Justice Onnoghen.

Another of such applications is that with which the defendant asked  the tribunal chairman to recuse himself from further presiding in the trial on the grounds that he had exhibitted bias in his handling of the case.