FG Considering Out-of-Court Settlement In Onnoghen’s Appeal, Says Government Lawyer
The Federal Government is exploring an out-of-court settlement in the appeal filed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, who is challenging his removal from office in 2019.
Tijani Gazali (SAN), counsel for the Federal Government, revealed this development on Tuesday during a court session where he sought an adjournment for the appeal hearing.
Justice Onnoghen was removed from office by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in 2019 after being convicted for failing to declare his assets as required for public officials. The tribunal, led by Danladi Umar, also ordered the forfeiture of five of Onnoghen’s bank accounts. Dissatisfied with the verdict, Onnoghen promptly filed an appeal, which has only now been scheduled for hearing this year.
On Monday, the appellate court announced that the case would be heard on Tuesday. However, when the case was called, Gazali requested a further adjournment, citing the government’s lack of possession of all relevant documents related to the case. He explained that the prosecution of the ex-CJN was originally handled by a Kano-based private lawyer, Aliyu Umar (SAN), who passed away four years ago. As a result, the Federal Ministry of Justice did not have any documents connected to the trial and conviction of Justice Onnoghen.
Gazali asked the court to grant an adjournment to allow the government time to retrieve necessary documents from the late lawyer’s chambers. He also hinted that the Federal Government, under the new Attorney General of the Federation, was considering resolving the matter amicably outside of court.
“The matter is being looked into from another perspective with a view to working out an amicable resolution of issues in dispute by the new Attorney General of the Federation,” Gazali stated.
In response, Onnoghen’s counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), pointed out that some documents had already been served to the Attorney General’s office and acknowledged. He then requested permission to move an application for an accelerated hearing, which the court granted after Gazali raised no objections.
Following the submissions, the presiding judge, Justice C. I. Jombo Ofo, adjourned the case until September 19 for the hearing of the appeal.
Justice Onnoghen’s prosecution in 2019 by the Federal Government was based on charges of false asset declaration.
