As the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen commenced on Monday, the prosecution team has insisted that the the CJN must appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.
The top jurist is being prosecuted by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for alleged false assets declaration.
Aliu Umar, who is the lead prosecutor, told the Danladi Umar-led tribunal that Onnoghen must appear in CCT to have his charges read to him.
Umar argued that Onnoghen cannot afford to be absent during his trial.
He maintained that there was no law that says a defendant can refuse to appear before a court just on the grounds of contesting jurisdiction.
“He should be here, he may refuse to be arraigned and say that he is contesting the case,” Umar said.
