The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest and produce before it on Friday, the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen.
CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar gave the directive on Wednesday while granting the prosecution’s request that Onnoghen must be compelled to attend the tribunal and plead to the charge of breach of code of conduct (non-declaration of assets) pending against him.
Earlier on, the defendant counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN had made certain submissions citing the unresolved applications that must be determined first for purposes of fair hearing to his client, Justice Onnoghen.
He said the issue of jurisdiction of the tribunal, its impartiality, ought to be resolved before physical arraignment.
Further, he argued that the presence of his client in the eyes of the law was not mandatory unless during arraignment. And that the prevailing issues for determination was not for arraignment today.
The CCT Chairman subsequently issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Justice Onnoghen and his appearance on February 15.
Umar scheduled next Friday, February 15 for Onnoghen’s arraignment.