Court Clears Fmr CJN, Onnoghen of False Asset Declaration Charges

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has acquitted former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, overturning his previous conviction for false asset declaration by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The appellate court’s decision followed a resolution of the issues that had led to his trial.

Onnoghen was suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari on January 25, 2019, shortly before the presidential election, and Justice Tanko Muhammad was appointed as his successor.

In delivering the judgment, Presiding Justice Abba Mohammed endorsed a settlement agreement between the federal government and Onnoghen, ordering the return of four bank accounts that had been forfeited.

After the ruling, Onnoghen’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi for facilitating the resolution.

Onnoghen’s suspension occurred just hours after he announced plans to inaugurate judges for election petition tribunals.