TheCable

The National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja has reinforced its order restraining the continuation of the trial of Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The court restated its earlier order restraining the federal government from forcing the CJN to vacate office in view of the allegation of non-disclosure of assets made against him.

On January 14, Sanusi Kado, a judge, had halted the scheduled trial of the CJN before the Code of Conduct (CCT) on charges of non-declaration of assets.

The judge restrained all the defendants in the suit from attempting to force the CJN out office pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s motion for interlocutory injunction.

It had also restricted the police from arresting Onnoghen.

During the resumed sitting on Monday, James Igwe,  counsel to the claimant, informed the court that the originating processes and interim order had been served on all parties except Danladi Umar, CCT chairman, and Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Igwe said it was the secretary to the tribunal that received the document, and not the chairman personally.

He, however, said the senate president was not served as an oversight that should be corrected immediately.

Kado therefore ordered that the processes and interim order be served on the tribunal’s chairman through substituted means.

He equally ordered that notice should be placed on the wall of the tribunal’s office.

He held that hearing notices should be served on all parties.

He also gave the order that the interim order restraining the defendants from further proceeding with the trial against the CJN should subsist.

The matter was adjourned till January 30 for hearing of motion on notice of the interlocutory injunction in the substantive suit.

A federal high court in Abuja had also ruled against the CCT proceeding with the trial of Onnoghen.