CCT chairman accuses Onnoghen’s lawyer of delaying trial

Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has accused the Adeboyega Awomolo, counsel to Walter Onnoghen, suspended chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), of applying delay tactics to stall proceedings.

Umar made the accusation at the resumption of hearing on the case against Onnoghen on Monday.

The court of appeal had refused to stay proceedings in the matter against the suspended CJN who is accused of false assets declaration.

Awomolo had applied for an adjournment till Thursday because of a petition submitted to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against his client.

The lawyer said the NJC would meet on Wednesday on the petition, the tribunal should adjourn so that it “it does not result in double jeopardy.”

Aliyu Umar, counsel to the federal government, agreed to the adjournment but the CCT chairman said since the matter has been slated for hearing both lawyers “must” move their applications already pending before the court.

“That [petition against Onnoghen at NJC] has nothing to do with the tribunal,” the CCT chairman said.

“Why are you using delay tactics?”

At the point, Awomolo was visibly angry. He said in his over 40 years at the bar, he has never done such.

The FG counsel intervened and asked that the tribunal is stood down for 30 minutes.