Breaking: Appeal Court Clears Former CJN Onnoghen, Orders Account Unfreezing

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Monday, cleared former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, of the charges that led to his removal from office in 2019.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari had suspended Onnoghen on January 25, 2019, just weeks before the presidential election, appointing Justice Tanko Muhammad, the next most senior judge, to lead the judiciary in his place.

This suspension followed Onnoghen’s announcement regarding the inauguration of judges for election petition tribunals, which occurred mere hours earlier.

Buhari’s actions sparked significant controversy, with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) labeling it a coup against the judiciary.

Onnoghen was subsequently convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on six corruption charges, alleging that he had made false declarations to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Now, nearly six years after his conviction, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Mohammed Bello, acquitted Onnoghen following a settlement agreement reached with the federal government.

President Bola Tinubu, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, urged the appellate court to suspend further proceedings on three appeals Onnoghen had filed to contest his removal, conviction, and asset seizures.

In accordance with the settlement agreement dated October 24, the appellate court ordered the federal government to immediately unfreeze Onnoghen’s account with Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited.

Justice Abba Bello Mohammed stated that the four bank accounts previously subject to forfeiture must be returned to Onnoghen.

In a brief statement, Onnoghen’s legal representatives, Adegboyega Awomolo and Ogwu James Onoja, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), expressed their appreciation to President Tinubu and the Attorney General for facilitating the resolution of this matter.