Dr. Olisa Agbakoba,SAN, has reacted to the bench warrant issued by the the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen.
DAILY POST had reported that the CCT on Wednesday also mandated the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and the Director General, Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji to effect his arrest.
This development was sequel to an application by the prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Umar praying the tribunal that a bench warrant be issued against Onnoghen whom he said has been consistently absent from court.
Umar, however, argued that his application for a bench warrant was appropriate given that Onnoghen’s none-appearance today was the main reason upon which the last adjournment was approved.
But the defense counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo made certain submissions citing, the unresolved applications that must be done for purposes of fair hearing to his client, Onnoghen.
However, reacting in a terse statement forwarded to DAILY POST, Agbakoba stated that the CCT went too far by issuing the arrest warrant, despite that its jurisdiction to try the case has been challenged by the NJC .
He said, ”I am shocked that the Code of Conduct Tribunal will issue a Bench warrant for the arrest of Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, knowing full well that its jurisdiction to try the case has been challenged and the Application on challenge is on the CCT docket, and no hearing has occurred.
”The CCT is aware that there is now before the National Judicial Council, a petition against Justice Walter Onnoghen on exactly the same charges at the CCT.
”The CCT ought to await the outcome of the pending matters in the NJC, Appeal Court and Federal High Court. The conduct of the CCT subverts the Rule of Law and due process.”
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