Embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, Monday, opened his defence by calling his first witness at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
His first Witness, the defence witness 1 (Dw1), Lawal Olarewaju, in evidence, tendered a receipt of payment from the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Asokoro office in Abuja for Onnoghen’s 2010 Asset Declaration Form which was reportedly purchased on November 3, 2010.
The witness, Olarewaju, said he was Onnoghen’s driver from 1999 to date.
But the prosecution counsel, Aliyu Umar SAN objected to the admissibility of the receipt by the tribunal, alleging that its authenticity was in doubt.
In his words, “My Lord, I’m objecting to the tendering of the said receipt. The Witness was not the maker. No proper custody of the receipt was established and Revenue Number, RV, was not found dated by the CCB cashier.
“Therefore, the authenticity of the receipt is in doubt”.
In reaction, however, defence counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN dismissed the objection raised by his learned colleagues as unthinkable.
He asserted that the receipt was relevant, admissible and not vitiated by any law. He added, “admissibility is regulated only by law, not by any other form.
“The Witness has made enough evidence to the making of the receipt”.
In his ruling, CCT chairman, Danladi Umar after considering the ensuing fireworks, admitted the receipt, marked it as exhibit 2 and adjourned to April 3 for continuation of trial.