The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has ordered for the arrest of Walter Onnoghen, embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar, issued the order on Wednesday charging security agencies to produce the top jurist on Friday, the next adjourned date of the tribunal.
Mr Onnoghen accused of non-declaration of assets has refused to show up for trial, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try him.
It was on this basis the CCT made the order following an application by the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN), who said the consistent absence of the CJN from the CCT was a violation of provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Umar, who anchored his application for Onnoghen’s arrest on section 6(1) of the Practice Direction of the CCT, also opposed the call on the three-man tribunal by the lead defence counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), to hear all pending applications.
He maintained that by virtue of section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 no objections could be raised by the defendant until he took his plea.
The prosecuting counsel said Onnoghen having not taken his plea, the objection by him could not be heard.
