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Tag: Onnoghen

  • Presidency speaks on alleged plans to arrest CJN Onnoghen

    The Presidency has denied any plans to arrest the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, and other Justices of the Supreme Court, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

    “This false story is being peddled by the Coalition of United Political Parties apparently to set the judiciary against the executive and cause major confusion ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

    “The story is absolutely false as the Presidency is not in any way involved in plotting against or framing anybody.

    “We note that the findings of the Code of Conduct Bureau against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the allegations arising from them, are being handled by the courts in the normal way, as is expected in a democratic society like ours.

    “The Presidency has not, and will certainly not, interfere in the process.

    “We, however, want to draw the attention of the general public to this or similar false stories, which are ill motivated to further the political interests of their sponsors.

    “While the Buhari administration is very firmly committed to the fight against corruption, we want to assure the general public that Government will always pursue its mission with the highest standards of fairness, and in strict conformity with the relevant laws”, the Presidency said.

     

  • FG approaches court to sack Onnoghen as CJN, NJC chairman

    FG approaches court to sack Onnoghen as CJN, NJC chairman

    The Federal Government has filed a motion before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, asking for the removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen as the CJN and the chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    According to court papers obtained, the motion was filed by Musa Ibrahim and Fatima Danjuma Ali on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation on Thursday.

    The move, according to the government, is aimed at ensuring that Onnoghen is not a judge in his case and that the next in line of seniority, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, becomes the acting CJN pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The plaintiff asked the court to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to name the next most senior judge as the acting CJN and chairman of the NJC.

    The motion on notice was brought in pursuance of Section 6(6) Paragraph 11 (1) of the Fifth Schedule, Part 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    The Federal Government prayed the tribunal for an interlocutory order “directing the defendant/respondent to step aside as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and chairman of the National Judicial Council over an allegation of contravening the provision of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act CAP C15 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 pending the determination of the case.

    “An interlocutory order of the honourable tribunal directing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take all necessary measures to swear in the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court as an acting Chief Justice and chairman of the National Judicial Council in order to prevent a vacuum in the judicial arm of government pending the determination of the case.”

    The fresh move against Onnoghen came after the National Industrial Court, Abuja, had on Monday restrained the Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar, the AGF, the Code of Conduct Bureau and the police from removing Onnoghen.

    This was pursuant to a motion ex-parte filed by a lawyer, Mr Peter Abang.

    Meanwhile, the opposition political parties on Friday claimed they had uncovered a plan by the Federal Government to arrest Onnoghen on Tuesday.

    The first national spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Imo Ugochinyere, made the claim at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

    Ugochinyere said the arrest would be carried out shortly after a bench warrant would have been issued by the CCT against Onnoghen.

    He added that arrangements had been concluded to immediately name Justice Justice Ibrahim Muhammad as acting CJN.

    He said Nigeria’s democracy was currently in danger.

    “Members of the cabal in the Presidency have just concluded a meeting last night (Thursday) where they have now set the stage to burn down the institution of democracy and constitutional governance for the purpose of achieving a narrow aim of annexing the judiciary.

    “Just a few hours after our release of the secret letter directing the freezing of the account of the CJN illegally without a court order, these men have at the end of their meeting last (Thursday) night directed the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr Danladi Umar, to disregard the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja which had directed the tribunal to maintain status quo.

    “They have asked him to go ahead to issue a bench warrant on the next adjourned date being Tuesday, January 22 in the event the CJN does not appear in court. The meeting of the Presidency cabal also resolved and directed the new Acting Inspector-General of Police that the immediate arrest of the CJN on the same Tuesday as effort will be made to ensure he is served with the order same day, following the issuance of the arrest warrant would be his litmus test for his speedy confirmation as the substantive Inspector-General,” he said.

    Ugochinyere alleged that the meeting also resolved that a fresh petition against Onnoghen would immediately be forwarded to the National Judicial Council.

    He said the strategy was to force the CJN out of office and pave the way for Justice Ibrahim Muhammad who is the deputy chairman of the NJC to take over and do all their bidding.

    “Let it be known that unless and until the CJN is found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, he will not resign!” he said.

    He claimed that some other Justices of the Supreme Court were also being targeted for persecution.

    “They further resolved that another petition would now be forwarded to the National Judicial Council and that petition had already been drafted in the chambers of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

    “This petition will precede the other frivolous and trumped-up allegations which will be submitted against Justice Mary Peter-Odili, Justice Cletus Nweze and Justice Rhodes Vivour just to scare them away and tarnish their good names,” Ugochinyere added.

    He claimed that a minister, a state governor from the northern part of the country, another top government official and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, drafted the petition.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of the development because it was resolved at the meeting that the minister and the state governor should brief him.

    “They want to force him out at all cost and put an acting CJN whose bidding will include setting up appeal panels to resolve the Rivers and Zamfara APC crisis in favour of the APC and the other states where they fear they will lose elections.

    “The states include Akwa Ibom, Delta, Lagos, Benue, Imo, Kwara, Plateau, Kaduna, Abia and Sokoto and also constitute a pro-Buhari post-presidential election tribunal. The CJN may not speak out because of the demands of his office, but we will not as the opposition, the bearers of the conscience and consciousness of the Nigerian people keep quiet and allow these felons to desecrate the Nigerian judiciary,” he said

    He added, “The only way the CJN can leave office is by Section 292 of the Constitution or by a proper conviction and not by stepping aside from the NJC. We are shouting it from the rooftops; let them put the CJN in handcuffs, let Danladi Umar in dancing to the tune of his APC blackmailers and issue arrest warrant, let the IG dance to the tune of the litmus test of arresting the CJN, let the APC-funded petition be brought to the NJC, Justice Onnoghen will not be forced out of office.”

    Ugochinyere also alleged that there was also pressure on the members of the NJC and moves to conscript them to force the CJN out of office.

    “Nigerians must rise now before this final bridge of the semblance of constitutional governance falls,” he added.

  • Court extends suspension of CJN Onnoghen’s trial to January 28

    An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has extended the restraining order against the continuation of the trial of Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen to January 28.

    The court, presided over by Justice N. E. Maha, gave the order after a counsel representing the respondents told the court on Thursday that his client had not been served.

    The court ordered a fresh service of the court summons to the respondents and asked that the date of service be included in the proof of service before the next hearing.

    Before adjourning the matter, Ms Maha ruled that the order for parties to maintain status quo, still stands.

    The implications of this order includes among other things that the trial of Mr Onnoghen, scheduled to continue on January 22 at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), may have to be suspended, pending further directives.

    The CJN is facing trial at the tribunal for alleged false asset declaration.

    He was arraigned by the anti-graft agency, the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    The CJN was charged, following a petition filed by a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

    But several applications have been filed, resulting to court decisions suspending the trial.

    After the FHC gave its interim order for the suspension of the matter till January 17 following two applications by civil groups, the Industrial court gave a similar order suspending the trial till January 21.

    The applications in the instant case were brought by the incorporated trustees of two groups: the Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative, and the International Association of Students Economists and Management.

    Parties expected to appear in court regarding the matter include the CCT chairman, Danladi Umar; the minister of justice, Abubakar Malami; the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu; the National Judicial Council, headed by Mr Onnoghen and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

  • Alleged false asset declaration: FG orders freezing of CJN Onnoghen’s bank accounts

    Alleged false asset declaration: FG orders freezing of CJN Onnoghen’s bank accounts

    The Federal Government has ordered that restrictions be placed on five bank accounts belonging to the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    The restriction order was contained in a letter with reference number HAGF/2019/E06/Vol.01, by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), dated January 14, 2019 and addressed to the Director, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

    According to a report by The Punch, a top official in the AGF’s office confirmed that the freezing order originated from Malami.

    The first national spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties, Imo Ugochinyere, made copies of the letter available to journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The letter, which was signed by Abiodun Aikomo on behalf of the AGF, asked that normal banking operations be restricted on the CJN’s accounts domiciled in Standard Chartered Bank, pending the final determination of the case against the CJN at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    According to the letter, the directive was given in pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order 6 of 2018.

    The letter was titled, “Re: Request for freezing of bank accounts subject to investigation and prosecution pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No. 6 of July 5, 2018 on the preservation of assets connected with corruption.”

    It read, “I am directed by Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to request that you, pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order No. 6 of 2018, forthwith restrict normal banking operations on certain accounts belonging to Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, pending the final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT/ABJ/1/19 – Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Hon. Justice Onnoghen Nkanu Walter Samuel).

    “These accounts are as follows: a. Account No. 5001062686 (euro) Standard Chartered Bank (SCB); b. Account No. 5001062679 (pound sterling) SCB; c. Account No. 0001062650 (dollar) SCB; d. Account No. 0001062667 (naira) SCB; and e. Account No. 5000162693 (naira).”

  • JUST IN: EFCC invites Fani-Kayode, Odumakin for peddling fake news on CJN Onnoghen

    JUST IN: EFCC invites Fani-Kayode, Odumakin for peddling fake news on CJN Onnoghen

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said it would invite the two politicians who circulated a fake news on Tuesday for questioning.

    Tony Orilade, a spokesperson for the anti-graft office, said the news could injure the country’s interest and said Femi Fani-Kayode and Yinka Odumakin would have to explain their action.

    Recall that Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister, posted a tweet Tuesday afternoon that EFCC operatives had surrounded the residence of the Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen.

    Odumakin, an Afenifere chieftain, also posted a video saying he had learnt of the EFCC’ move against the top jurist.

    Both claims turned out false by Tuesday night, with Mr Onnoghen himself denying the claim.

    Onnoghen is facing allegations of false asset filings with the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    Orilade, who spoke at the conference of Online Publishers Association of Nigeria which is underway in Abuja, said if both men failed to disclose useful information, they may not be released on time.

    As at the time of filling this report, TNG is yet to verify if the anti-graft agency has sent formal invitation to the two politicians.

  • CJN Onnoghen denies alleged raid by EFCC on his home

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has denied reports that his official residence was on Tuesday, invaded by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    Recall that the CJN has been locked down in a legal battle with the Federal Government over the propriety of a six-count charge that was preferred against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, following his alleged non declaration of some of his assets.

    He was due for arraignment before the CCT on Monday but he was absent from court.

    However, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday stopped the FG from embarking on further arraignment at the CCT.

    Reacting to the report which has continued to gain traction in several social media platforms, Senior Special Adviser to the CJN on media, Mr. Awassam Bassey, described it as false news.

    In his words: “I really don’t know where they got the information from. So many media men were here earlier with cameras over the same report. But what I can tell you for now is that there was no such thing. It is false news.”

    According to reports, the alleged invasion of the CJN’s home emanated from a tweet from the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

    Fani-Kayode had in the said post, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately call off EFCC from Onnoghen’s residence.

    He tweeted: “Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of CJN Onnoghen and why are they seeking to arrest him?

    “These people want Nigeria to burn! Buhari call off your dogs before it is too late!

    “This is a democracy and not a gestapo state! In the name of God let this madness stop.”

     

    …EFCC refutes invasion story

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also debunked invading the official residence of the CJN.

    The EFCC in a statement released on Tuesday night to dose tension raised by he purported invasion said the report was fake.

    Read full statement below:

    EFCC Reacts to Alleged Plan to Arrest CJN Onnoghen

    The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to the falsehood which has been spreading on the social media that the EFCC has arrested the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    This is not only a figment of the imagination of the purveyor of the fake news, but an evil machination by the creator and carriers of the news aimed at creating anarchy in the country.

    For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was invitation extended to him. Several calls and short messages received all point to the fact that the brains behind the fake news had one thing in mind: to act as agent of destabilization. We would not give in to their plots.

    One of the architect of the fake news, Femi Fani-Kayode, was quoted as saying “Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of CJN Onnoghen and why are they seeking to arrest him?

    These people want Nigeria to burn! Buhari call off your dogs before it is too late! This is a democracy and not a gestapo state! In the name of God let this madness stop”.

    Another arrowhead of the fake news, Yinka Odumakin shared a non-existent video which has gone viral. We want to assure Nigerians that while we would fight corruption in line with the mandate setting up the Commission, agents of darkness, in the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and his cohorts, would never be able to manipulate the people against the Commission.

    We also want to assure Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and other purveyors of the evil news to be ready to defend their actions in the court of law as the EFCC will file libel suit against them without further delay.

    Tony Orilade Ag. Head, Media & Publicity

     

  • APC, PDP trade words over CJN Onnoghen’s trial

    The arraignment of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has triggered war of words between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The ruling party yesterday took exception to an allegation by the PDP that it (APC) and its candidate in the February 16 presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari, are behind the CJN’s ordeal.

    PDP spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan accused the President and the APC of being desperate to remove Justice Onnoghen because of the forthcoming elections.

    Ologbodiyan, who spoke for the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO), alleged that the ruling party was on a mission to annex the judiciary.

    But the APC fired back through its Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu, accusing the PDP of trying to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that the allegations against the CJN had political motives.

    Issa-Onilu said the interest shown so far by the PDP in the CJN matter since it was brought to the limelight on January 7 had given the party out of having some unholy alliances with the judiciary.

    He said the law should be allowed to run its course.

    The APC spokesman urged Nigerians to caution the opposition party over what it called virulent attacks on the party and institutions of government.

    Nigeria, Issa-Onilu said, is bigger than any political party or any political interest.

    Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, Issa-Onilu also faulted the decision of the CJN not to appear before the CCT to answer charges bordering on false assets declaration preferred against him.

    He alleged that such a decision could have been based on the suggestions of PDP governors from the Southsouth, who after their emergency meeting in Abuja on Sunday, urged the CJN to ignore the court summons.

    The APC, he said, will not be drawn into debating the legality or sponsored conspiracies of the CCT trial because it believes it was an opportunity for the Chief Justice to exonerate himself and prove his innocence in the matter, adding that the issue concerning the CJN should be allowed to follow the due process of law.

    He said the APC believed that democratic and constitutional institutions must be allowed to operate without interference and undue pressure from partisan and sundry interests as being done by the PDP and its cronies.

    He said: “While we would not want to be lured into discussing issues that are presently before the courts and for which any respectable political party hoping to hold positions of responsibility should restrain itself, we regret to suggest that the PDP’s attempt to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that there is a political motive behind the allegation brought against the CJN might itself be indicative of some unholy alliances.

    “The likely affinity existing between the PDP and a section of the judiciary is further accentuated by the nonappearance of Justice Onnoghen before the CCT on Monday (yesterday), in line with the suggestions made by the PDP governors from the Southsouth on Sunday.

  • JUST IN: APC condemns Onnoghen’s absence in court, insists CJN must face trial

    JUST IN: APC condemns Onnoghen’s absence in court, insists CJN must face trial

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (AP) on Monday condemned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen while insisting that the embattled CJN must face his corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    The ruling party said the noise being made by the Peoples Democratic Party and some elements in the bar was an indication of unholy alliance to frustrate the fight against corruption.

    This was contained in an address by the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Lanre Issa-Onilu, on Monday.

    “Following the notice of the charges preferred against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by the Code of Conduct Bureau at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Peoples Democratic Party has been on overdrive vituperating over an issue that should at best be left to the judiciary to resolve,” Issa-Onilu said.

    Continuing, he noted, “While we would not want to be lured into discussing issues that are presently before the courts and for which any respectable political party hoping to hold positions of responsibility should restrain itself, we regret to suggest that the PDP’s attempt to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that there is a political motive behind the allegation brought against the CJN might itself be indicative of some unholy alliances.

    “The likely affinity existing between the PDP and a section of the judiciary is further accentuated by the nonappearance of Justice Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday, in line with the suggestions made by the PDP governors from the South South on Sunday.

    “Are Nigerians expected to see this as a mere coincidence? Is the PDP and their governors acting a script? Haven’t we missed an opportunity to show confidence in an institution headed by the CJN?

    “This becomes more worrisome, knowing that the PDP campaigns have been receiving cold shoulders everywhere they have gone to and it has become apparent the party and its presidential candidate are facing imminent defeat in the February 2019 elections and may be searching for some unorthodox means of forcing itself on the Nigerian people.

    “If this were not so, the PDP should, before coming to these distracting conclusions, have taken cognisance of the facts of the allegations made against the CJN and his admission to the facts so stated.

    “The only logical conclusion in the circumstance is that realising the refusal of Nigerians to allow the deception of the PDP con them into returning the party to power, the opposition party has alongside some pliable human rights activists devised a plot to distract the APC and indeed the good people of Nigeria from addressing the very important issues on the APC’s manifesto in the electioneering process.”

    Issa-Onilu claimed that the APC has also noticed “the very dangerous attempt to designate the CJN’s arraignment along ethnic and religious lines, thereby trying to heat up the polity by evoking primordial sentiment which would do the country no good.”

    “This is an ungodly ploy when we consider that the CJN was an officer of the federation rather than that of any region,” he warned.

    “We therefore urge all Nigerians of good conscience to caution the PDP as the country is bigger than any political party or the interest it represents, and nothing should stop the country’s steady march into sustainable democratic governance.”

    “In our earlier statement on the CJN’s CCT trial, we had noted the PDP’s shocking and innate proclivity to defend cases of corruption anytime it arises.

    “The call by the PDP South South Governors for the CJN to boycott the CCT trial further cements our position. Let it be reiterated that nobody– no matter how highly placed — should be above the laws of the land.

    “We wish to put on record that the virulent attack that has come from the PDP in the wake of the trial of the CJN over alleged false asset declaration is particularly worrisome and suspicious when the PDP has in fact called for the removal of virtually all heads of government’s arms, particularly the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission and Inspector General of the Police over frivolous issues.

    “While the will not be drawn into debates on the legality and sponsored conspiracies of the CCT trial, we insist that our democratic and constitutional institutions must be allowed to operate without interference and undue pressure from partisan and sundry interests as being done by the PDP and its cronies.

    “The CCT trial is a legal matter, let the law run its course. The CJN must go through the instrumentalities of the courts, more importantly as an institution he represents. Indeed, this is the true test of our constitution, rule of law and will deepen democracy.

    “Where there are contestations on institutional procedures, we must allow same institutions perform their functions unhindered, autocorrect if necessary and set good precedence on future matters.

    “This is the only way we can build strong and lasting institutions,” Issa-Onilu concluded.

     

  • Alleged false asset declaration: Allow NJC examine CJN Onnoghen, SERAP tells FG

    Alleged false asset declaration: Allow NJC examine CJN Onnoghen, SERAP tells FG

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to follow due process by allowing the National Judicial Council to examine the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.

    The human rights organisation said this should be done as Onnoghen recluses himself.

    SERAP urged Buhari to instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, to immediately withdraw the charges against Onnoghen, and to send any allegations of breach of assets declaration provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) to the National Judicial Council for investigation.

    The Federal Government on Monday withdrew the charges against Onnoghen, even as the CJN refused to appear in court.

    SERAP said in a statement: “Mr. Malami should then request Justice Onnoghen, as the Chairman of the NJC, to recuse himself, so that the next most senior justice at the Supreme Court can preside over the process and set up a panel to investigate the allegations against Justice Onnoghen to ensure fairness and justice in the matter.”

    The organisation’s senior legal adviser, Bamisope Adeyanju, added: “We believe that enforcing assets declaration provisions would help to prevent corruption and abuse of office and ensure transparency among public officers, including judges.

    “But the government should follow due process of law, and allow the NJC to consider the allegations against Justice Onnoghen first before pushing for prosecution, should there be any relevant admissible evidence.

    “This would help to accord Justice Onoghen his entire rights through laid down process.

    “The moral guilt or the legal guilt of Justice Onnoghen should be left for the judicial process to decide, as he is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    “For now, the fundamental question is whether he is afforded the due process of law, as he is constitutionally and legally entitled to. This is our interest in this case, and this should be the interest of every lover of justice.

    “Due process here requires that Justice Onnoghe be given an opportunity to have allegations against him heard by the NJC.

    “The bringing of this case against Justice Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal would appear to have fallen below the minimum procedural standards of legal justice, which in turn would affect the quality of justice he receives.

    “Due process rights should not be curtailed in the interest of expediting enforcement of asset declaration provisions.

    “The authorities have the responsibility to ensure fair treatment of judges or others who face these kinds of charges that may ultimately lead to deprivation of liberty.

    “Preventing the NJC to first hear the allegations against Justice Onnoghen would deny him his constitutionally and internationally recognised right to a fair hearing and lead to the matter being unnecessary politicised.”

    “The authorities may have a strong case against him, but the possibility of success is diminished if the proper procedure is not followed.

    “The requirements of justice and success of the fight against corruption justify the fundamental need to ensure and apply due process rights in this case.”

     

  • BREAKING: Court stops FG from arraigning CJN Onnoghen before CCT

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Federal Government’s plan to arraign the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    The Federal Government through the Code of Conduct Bureau filed six counts of non-declaration of assets against the CJN on Friday.

    He was due for arraignment before the CCT on Monday but he was absent from court.

    But ruling on two separate ex parte applications on Monday, Justice N.E Maha, ordered parties to maintain status quo till January 17.

    He ruled in the two different suits that the defendants should be served with all the papers filed and they should appear in court at the next hearing.

    One of the two suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/27/2019 was filed by incorporated ‎trustees of the Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative.

    Those joined as defendants in the suit, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, the Chairman of CCT, Danladi Umar; the National Judicial Council, the Inspector-General of Police, ‎Mr. Ibrahim Idris, and the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    ‎The other suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2019 was filed by the incorporated ‎trustees of the International Association of Students Economists and Management.

    The suit has as the defendants, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malami; the CCT, the CCB, the Chairman of CCT, Umar; and the Inspector-General of Police, ‎Idris.

    While the ex parte application in the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/27/2019 was moved by Mr. R.A Lawal-Rabana (SAN), before Justice Maha on Monday, the ex parte application filed in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2019 ‎was moved by Mr. Jeph Njikonye.

    The applications were being filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja while the CCT proceedings where Onnoghen was being expected to be arraigned was ongoing.

    ‎Justice Onnoghen was however absent at the CCT proceedings forcing the tribunal to adjourn till January 22.

    But Justice Maha ruled at the Federal High Court on Monday that no steps should be taken in respect of the trial until January 17 when all parties to the two suits should return to court for the hearing of the plaintiffs’ motion on notice.

    ‎The hearing took place shortly after the CCT proceedings ended on Monday.