The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has informed the Court of Appeal that it no longer possesses the case file related to the trial of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). This revelation comes five years after the conclusion of the high-profile trial, during which Onnoghen was found guilty of false asset declaration and subsequently removed from office.
Onnoghen, who was prosecuted in 2019, is now contesting the decision that led to his removal. His legal battle seeks to overturn the CCT’s judgement and recover five bank accounts that were ordered to be forfeited as part of the ruling.
During a recent hearing at the Court of Appeal, the federal government’s representative, Tijani Gazali, disclosed that the trial was managed by a private lawyer, Aliyu Umar, who has since passed away. Gazali explained that the late lawyer had handled the case independently, and as a result, the Attorney General’s office did not have the complete case file in its possession. He then requested an adjournment to allow time to retrieve the necessary documents from the chambers of the deceased lawyer.
However, Onnoghen’s counsel, Chris Uche, countered this claim by highlighting that certain documents were indeed served to the AGF’s office during the trial and were duly acknowledged. Uche expressed concern over the missing files and insisted on the importance of a prompt resolution of the case.
The Court of Appeal, recognizing the gravity of the situation, granted an accelerated hearing and scheduled the next session for September 19. The court’s decision reflects the importance of ensuring that justice is served in a timely manner, especially given the high-profile nature of the case and its implications for Nigeria’s judicial integrity.
Onnoghen’s legal team is focused on overturning the CCT’s judgement, which they argue was marred by procedural irregularities and political interference. The former CJN’s abrupt removal in 2019 sent shockwaves through the legal community, with many viewing it as a politically motivated attack on the independence of the judiciary. Onnoghen himself has maintained that his removal was unjust and that the allegations against him were part of a broader scheme to undermine his authority.
