The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Thursday approved the prayer of the Defence counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, to the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen, to address the tribunal on a no-case submission.
This was after the Federal Government closed its case of false and non-declaration of charges preferred against the Onnoghen, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Although, the prosecution led by Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN) had proposed to call six witnesses to prove its case against the defendant, it closed its case after calling three of them.
Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar announced his decision to close the prosecution’s case after the third witness, Ifeoma Okeagbue, an official of Standard Chartered Bank, concluded her testimony on Thursday.
The prosecuting counsel said he had chosen to offer to the defence team the rest of his proposed witnesses, three of them, who were not called by the prosecution.
But the lead defence counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), rejected the offer as Onnoghen had opted to file a no-case submission at tribunal.
The new development has since stirred reactions online from Nigerians.
Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST from Twitter:
@Chxta “The Onnoghen case (FG has rested its case), lays bare the dangers, and madness, of media trials. But then, these people don’t care. Their (short term) goal has been achieved. We’ll be left to pick the pieces up of the desecration of our third arm of government eventually.”
@YoungOtutu “With Justice #Onnoghen victory over the federal government and his sure reinstatement any moment from now. I want to use this medium to congratulate the incoming president of Nigeria Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.We are sure to coast to victory at the tribunals.”
@SamEba_ “For all those who labelled Onnoghen a criminal, may disgrace never depart from them.”
@Kcnaija “They just wanted the man out to manipulate election tribunal. Rogues claiming integrity!
@CeoNigeria “This Onnoghen case is highly pathetic. Imagine after the public ridicule, FG suddenly found nothing and closed the case. Thank God I resigned from political Twitter. Discussing Nigerian politics is emotionally draining! What’s for dinner please?
@Musa_BM “As a Buharist, i’m saddened by the Onnoghen’s case which was closed. He was embarrassed and ridiculed on something that was not properly investigated and checked. Clarity of perspective should always be considered when dealing with delicate issues.”
@Ummita71 “Onnoghen should resign as for me, since God has vindicated him, he should protest the ill treatment melted at him. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like that, a highly respected man, I knew there was much to his suspension.”
@beulahland17 “What’s going on here, FG closes case doesn’t mean the case is over or the man is innocent, it simply means it’s time for defense to open its case, these are legal terms.”
@Ogomkpuma “Almighty God, please when you want to punish Nigeria for the humiliation of CJN Onnoghen please remember us that spoke against his media trial but were dismissed and called criminals by APC Hypocrites. Lord have mercy.”
@Jeremiah_James “The case of Onnoghen is really painful because some persons used a sitting CJN to score cheap political points. The guts it took. I just pray he’s cleared and reinstated and to think we have a SAN as VP.
Real shame.”
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