The Court of Appeal in Abuja has discharged and acquitted former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen of the charges that led to his removal from office in 2019.
This decision comes after former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen on January 25, 2019, just weeks before the presidential elections, replacing him with Justice Tanko Muhammad.
In a recent development, President Bola Tinubu’s administration, through Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, intervened, persuading the appellate court to halt proceedings on three separate appeals that Onnoghen had filed to contest his removal, conviction, and asset seizure.
In accordance with the settlement terms dated October 24, the appellate court also ordered the federal government to unfreeze Onnoghen’s bank account with Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited immediately. This ruling marks a significant turn in Onnoghen’s legal battle following his controversial suspension and subsequent legal challenges.
