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CJN: Protesters Storm CCT, Demand Withdrawal Of Charges …As CCT Rejects High Court Orders Stopping Onnoghen’s Trial
Over 1,000 protesters, yesterday, stormed the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), asking the Federal Government to withdraw the non-assets declaration charges it preferred against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The placard and national flag-wielding protesters surrounded the perimeters of the tribunal which is located at the Jabi District of the Federal Capital Territory, drumming and chanting in solidarity with the embattled CJN.
Among the protesters were groups of Muslim women, lawyers and several civil society organisations.
Armed mobile policemen were, however, stationed at strategic locations within and outside the CCT premises.
Meanwhile, for the second time, the CJN declined to appear before the Mr. Danladi Umar’s led three-member tribunal.
A consortium of over 80 lawyers led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, however, announced their appearance for the CJN.
Olanipekun drew attention of the tribunal to two different High Court orders, as well as an order of the National Industrial Court, stopping trial of the CJN pending determination of the cases.
He further notified the tribunal that the Abuja Division of Court of Appeal has already been briefed of the facts of the case.
Consequently, Olanipekun applied for the trial to be adjourned indefinitely pending the decision of the Court of Appeal.
“The Supreme Court had repeatedly held that it will amount to judicial rascality and irresponsibility if a court or tribunal is aware and still proceeds”, Olanipekun submitted.
After Olanipekun’s submission, the CCT temporarily suspended its proceeding to rule on an application the CJN had filed to challenge his trial.
The three-member tribunal had said it will reconvene by 1:30pm to decide whether or not it would okay indefinite adjournment of the criminal charges the Federal Government entered against the CJN.
Onnoghen, who for the second time, failed to appear before the CCT to take his plea on the six-count charge bordering on his alleged failure to declare his assets as well as allegations that he maintained domiciliary foreign bank accounts, had through his team of lawyers, applied for his trial to be adjourned sine-die.
But on resumption of proceedings later, the Code of Conduct Tribunal said orders made by the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria stopping the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, were not binding on it.
The CCT held that the courts are of coordinate jurisdiction with the CCT and so lack powers to issue orders to the tribunal.
The CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, said this while rejecting a motion by Onnoghen asking the tribunal to adjourn indefinitely based on orders made by two high courts and the NICN that parties must maintain status quo.
Meanwhile, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) sitting in Abuja, yesterday held that the orders by the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court restraining or stopping it from proceeding with the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen are not binding on it.
The three-member panel of the Tribunal headed by Danladi Yakubu Umar, in a split decision of two to one, discountenanced the orders of the two courts on the grounds that they were courts of equal jurisdiction and the CCT is a special Court empowered to handle exclusively the issues relating to assets declaration of public office holders.
Onnoghen’s lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (CJN), in the non disclosure of assets charge preferred against him by the federal government had, in an application asked the Tribunal to adjourn trial indefinitely pending the determination of suits seeking to stop the trial, wherein the courts ordered that trial should be temporarily put in hold.
Umar had in his ruling held that those who obtained the orders of the High Court were busybodies because they are not parties in the matter at the Tribunal and maintained that the orders of the High Courts and that of the National Industrial Court are null and void on account of being inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution.
According to the CCT chairman, Section 246(1)(a) of the Constitution makes it crystal clear that the Tribunal has unquantified jurisdiction to hear any assets declaration case as may be referred to it by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
He also disagreed with the request by the lead defence counsel for an adjournment of the trial sine die (indefinitely) on the grounds of a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal, adding that section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, did not make provisions for stay of proceedings in a criminal matter and that in the instant case, it shall not be entertained.
Atedze, in his dissenting ruling, held that it would result to judicial anarchy for the Tribunal to proceed with the trial in view of the four subsisting court orders and the pending appeal at the Court of Appeal.
According to him, orders are binding on the Tribunal until they are set aside in view of Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution which allow court orders to be enforced in all parts of the county and that the CCT cannot operate in isolation.
“Having summarised argument from both parties, it is my submission that CCT, as a creation of law is bound by the existing court orders to avoid judicial anarchy,” he held in his dissenting decision.
The member who further said that the issue of jurisdiction of the Tribunal to entertain the charge against the CJN must first be resolved added that status quo must be maintained by adjourning proceedings sine die until all contending issues are resolved.
Although the Chairman ordered that the motion challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to be moved immediately, Chief Olanipekun however, informed the Tribunal that the response of the complainant, Federal government was served on him late Monday and as such, needed time to study the response and then file the reply on point of law.
Counsel to the Federal government, Aliyu Umar, agreed that the government’s response was served late on the defendant, prompting the Chairman to adjourn further proceedings till Monday, January 28, 2019.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.
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