Justice Walter Onnoghen, suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, failed to appear for today’s proceedings of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
Okay Nigeria reported that Onnoghen is standing a trial over six counts of non-declaration of assets.
Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Onnoghen’s lawyer, explaining to the three-man Bench of the CCT said the suspended CJN developed a toothache which needed to be treated urgently.
Awomolo preented a medical report obtained by Onnoghen from the hospital where he was said to be receiving treatment.
Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN), the prosecuting counsel, acknowledged that he had been given a photocopy of the medical report.
He then stated that he would have expressed “an observation” about the medical report but for the comment of the doctor who signed it, stating that Justice Onnoghen had a high blood pressure of 410/121.
He also noted that the doctor also stated in the letter that the defendant needed to observe bed rest.
Danladi Umar, CCT Chairman, had ruled on Monday that hearing in the case would hold daily.
It also deferred rulings on two separate applications filed by Onnoghen to challenge the jurisdiction of the tribunal to hear the charges against him till when final judgment would be delivered in the case.
However, following the concession by the prosecution and the recommendation in the medical report that the defendant needs a bed rest for 72 hours, the tribunal adjourned the case till March 18.
