Justice onnoghen latest news
Here are the latest news updates on Justice Walter Onnoghen, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN):
Latest News:
- Appeal Court Upholds Onnoghen's Conviction: On February 28, 2023, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the conviction of Justice Walter Onnoghen by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in 2019. The appeal court dismissed Onnoghen's appeal, affirming his conviction on six counts of non-declaration of assets and money laundering.
- Onnoghen's Assets Forfeiture: In February 2023, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the forfeiture of Onnoghen's assets, including a N250 million mansion in Abuja, to the Federal Government. The court ruled that the assets were acquired with proceeds of crime.
- Onnoghen's Pension: In January 2023, the National Assembly approved the payment of Onnoghen's pension benefits, despite his conviction. The decision was made after a committee set up by the National Assembly recommended that Onnoghen be paid his pension and other entitlements.
- Onnoghen's Health: In December 2022, it was reported that Onnoghen was hospitalized in Abuja due to an undisclosed illness. His health has been a subject of concern in recent years, with some reports suggesting that he was suffering from a chronic illness.
Background:
Justice Walter Onnoghen was the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2017 to 2019. He was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019, following allegations of non-declaration of assets and money laundering. Onnoghen denied the allegations and challenged his suspension in court. In July 2019, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) convicted Onnoghen and sentenced him to a fine of N5 million. Onnoghen appealed the conviction, but the appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in February 2023.
Reactions:
The controversy surrounding Onnoghen's conviction and assets has generated significant reactions from various stakeholders, including:
- The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which has criticized the conviction and called for Onnoghen's reinstatement.
- The Federal Government, which has defended the conviction and argued that Onnoghen's actions were a breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
- Human rights groups, which have expressed concerns about the fairness and transparency of the trial.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Justice Onnoghen's conviction and assets has raised important questions about the independence of the judiciary, the accountability of public officials, and the rule of law in Nigeria.