The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Monday, discharged and acquitted former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, from the charges that led to his removal from office in 2019.
Justice Onnoghen’s suspension took place on January 25, 2019, when then-President Muhammadu Buhari, approximately 29 days before the presidential election, removed him from office. At the time, President Buhari appointed Justice Tanko Muhammad, the next most senior Supreme Court jurist, to lead the judiciary. This decision followed an announcement by Onnoghen of his intention to inaugurate judges for election petition tribunals just eight hours earlier.
The suspension sparked widespread reactions. The Nigerian Bar Association condemned the move, calling it a “coup against the judiciary,” highlighting deep concerns within the legal community and beyond about judicial independence.
Following his suspension, Onnoghen faced a six-count corruption charge from the Federal Government at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, where he was accused of making a false declaration of assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau. The CCT subsequently convicted him on those charges, sealing his removal from office.
Now, six years after his initial conviction, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Mohammed Bello, has acquitted Onnoghen. This decision followed a settlement agreement reached between the federal government and the former CJN.
President Bola Tinubu, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, requested that the appellate court halt further hearing of three separate appeals the former CJN filed to challenge his removal, conviction, and seizure of his assets.
In line with the terms of the settlement dated October 24, the appellate court ordered FG to, forthwith, unfreeze Onnoghen’s account with Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited.
