Onnoghen's trial adjourned until Feb 13 amid calls for his arrest if he does not appear

CODE of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) chairman Justice Danladi Umar has adjourned the ongoing trial of the chief judge of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen until February 13 after today's hearing ended in pandemonium amid concerns that an arrest warrant may be issued.

Last month, President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Justice Onnoghen and replaced him with Justice Tanko Mohammed, who was sworn-in as the acting chief justice of Nigeria (CJN). Over the last few weeks, Justice Onnoghen has been involved in intense political jockeying with the government that involved him being charged before the CCT.

Justice Onnoghen challenged the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him and filed a motion to that effect and there are several other legal suits on the matter also pending. Despite the matter still being before the law courts, President Buhari decided to suspend Justice Onnoghen and replace him with the Bauchi State-born Justice Mohammed.

However, a court had ruled that the CCT trial could continue and today it resumed but Justice Onnoghen was absent from proceedings but Justice Umar ruled that  he must be present for him to take his plea. At the hearing, Adegnoyega Awomolo, Justice Onnoghen's counsel had made an oral application for adjournment, arguing that the Nigeria Judiciary Council (NJC), has intervened in the matter.

He added: “The NJC under its powers has forwarded a petition against the CJN for him to respond within seven days. These seven days will elapse on Wednesday, February 6 and we are hoping that shortly thereafter, NJC will meet to consider the reply of CJN over the allegations.

“The proceedings are better adjourned so that the CJN does not suffer a double tragedy in the hands of the CCT and CJN. We are praying that this matter be adjourned to enable NJC take decision before further proceedings by this tribunal.”

Aliyu Umar, counsel to the federal government, said he did not object to the application, suggesting that the adjournment be put for Thursday this week. He added that if Justice Onnoghen fails to come, the tribunal could use powers within its jurisdiction to compel him to.

Mr Umar objected to the further adjournment, accusing the counsel of the defendant of using technicalities in law to buy time. This stout legal position taken by Mr Umar did not go down well with Mr Awomolo as it sparked protracted legal fireworks which culminated in the tribunal withdrawing into a 30-minute closed door.