The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has dismissed a motion challenging its jurisdiction to hear the case against suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.
The motion was brought by Onnoghen at the commencement of the trial with the tribunal reserving its ruling till the end of the substantive suit.
The motion is based on the decision of the Court of Appeal in the suit between Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which the CCT had relied on in dismissing the charge against another justice of the Supreme Court, Sylvester Ngwuta on May 15, 2018.
Ruling on the motion today, the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar held that it is well established that the Constitution stated that the CCT will not be subjected to the control of any authority including the NJC.
As regards Ngwuta, he held that although the tribunal will respect its own decisions but will not hesitate to overrule itself in any case it feels necessary.
“The tribunal hereby reverses itself as regards its decision in the case of Ngwuta.
“The preliminary objection of the defendant lacks merit and it is hereby refused,” he held.
The tribunal also dismissed the second motion asking the tribunal chairman to disqualify himself.
The judgement in the substantive suit is now ongoing.
DT
