Appeal Court Discharges, Acquits Ex-CJN, Walter Onnoghen Over Asset Declaration

…Orders return of his forfeited bank accounts, assets

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, November 4, 2024, discharged and acquitted former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, of his conviction for false asset declaration by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The former CJN, Onnoghen, who was prosecuted by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buahri at the Code of Conduct Tribunal was set free of his earlier conviction by the Tribunal which was delivered on April 18, 2019, by the Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr Danladi Umar.

In upturning the decision of the Tribunal, the Court of Appeal noted that the issue had initially led to Jutice Onnonghen’s trial and conviction.

While delivering the judgment, Presiding Justice Abba Mohammed held that the Appellate Court was acting on the terms of a settlement entered into and adopted between the Federal Government and Justice Onnoghen.

Accordingly, Justice Mohammed ordered that the four bank accounts previously forfeited by the former Chief Justice be returned to him.

Following the judgment, Counsel to the former CJN, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), expressed gratitude for the resolution.

In the words of Awomolo; “We appreciate President Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation for their roles in ensuring this matter was resolved fairly”.