The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Tuesday adjourned proceedings on the trial of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen to Monday, March 18.
This development followed the absence of Onnoghen on health ground as declared by his lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.
Awomolo explained that the absence of the CJN was due to medical report wherein he was to observe a bed rest for 72 hours spanning to Thursday, March 14.
He said, ” My Lord, the defendant is not in court for health reasons. I hereby tender a medical report where he was advised to have 72- hour bed rest with close monitoring till Thursday this week”.
In his reaction, the prosecution, Aliyu Umar, SAN, did not object to the reason for the CJN’s absence, saying his health was important for the success of the trial.
He also asked for an adjournment to March 18, on the premise of the aforestated reason even though his witnesses were in court.
In his words, “My lord, I have no objection following the health challenge of the CJN as he was to be on bed rest as contained in the letter of medical report before me.”
In his ruling, the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar said, “In view of the medical report, it is the view of the bench to consider the inability of the defendant to appear today on grounds of the medical report written by the medical director of Ideal Dental Services and, in consideration of the submission of the prosecuting counsel that the matter be adjourned to March 18”.
It would, however, be recalled that the code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, yesterday deferred rulings on two separate motions filed by Onnoghen.
The motions are challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to hear the criminal charges preferred against Onnoghen by the Federal government.
The tribunal also reserved ruling on another motion wherein Onnoghen prayed for the disqualification of the Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar from further participation in the trial on grounds of alleged apparent bias.
