The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has asked the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Yakubu Umar, to disqualify himself from further participating in the hearing of his case on grounds of likelihood of bias. He alleged that the chairman had constructively convicted him without hearing him or formally arraigning him before the tribunal. Onnoghen stated that the CCT chairman is a tainted arbiter because he is facing a bribery charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and could trade the charge to convict him for a plea bargaining. Listed as counsel in the motion are Chris Uche (SAN), Chief Sebastine Hon (SAN), Okon Efut (SAN), Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), Noah Abdul and George Ibrahim. President Muhammad Buhari had on January 25 suspended Onnoghen and swore-in Tanko Muhammad as Acting CJN based on an ex parte order granted by the CCT boss.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 05, 2019 19:07 UTC