TheCable

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has formally served court summons on Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Daily Trust reports.

Onnoghen has been accused of false assets declaration, with six-count charge filed against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)..

The CJN was meant to be arraigned on Monday at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) but he was absent. Wole Olanipekun, lead counsel to Onnoghen, had challenged the jurisdiction of the court.

Olanipekun who was in court with over 40 other senior advocate Nigeria (SANs) also argued that the CJN was not served because the summons were given to his private secretary.

The lawyer said in a criminal matter, summons ought to be served on the accused except the tribunal orders otherwise.

However, Daily Trust quoted a source as saying Onnoghen personally received the summons when CCB officials went to his office at the supreme court.

The source said CJN was waiting for them and the process went well.

Danladi Umar, CCT judge, had adjourned the matter till January 22 for the prosecution to properly serve the CJN.

The federal high court, Abuja and the national industrial court have given orders to halt the proceedings.

The courts also restrained the police from arresting the CJN.