The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has discharged and acquitted a former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen, of the charge that led to his removal from office in 2019.
His acquittance may be unconnected with the deal struct between the ex-CJN and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Daily Intel recalls that former President Muhammadu Buhari had on January 25, 2019, about 29 days before the presidential elections, suspended Onnoghen from office as the CJN and swore in the next most senior jurist of the Supreme Court, Justice Tanko Muhammad as his replacement.
However, President Bola Tinubu, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, persuaded the appellate court to halt further hearing of three separate appeals the former CJN filed to challenge his removal, conviction, and seizure of his assets.
In line with the terms of the settlement dated October 24, the appellate court ordered FG to, forthwith, unfreeze Onnoghen’s account with Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited.
Detail shortly…
