The Federal Government of Nigeria and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Samuel Nkanu Walter Onnoghen, have been granted permission by the Court of Appeal in Abuja to settle out of court in an appeal challenging Onnoghen’s 2019 removal.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, lead counsel for the former CJN, informed a three-man panel of justices that both parties have been engaged in discussions to reach an amicable resolution. Onoja noted that they had a meeting on September 18 and expressed optimism that the discussions would lead to a fruitful outcome. He subsequently requested a one-month adjournment to finalize the settlement.
Federal government lawyer Tijani Gazali corroborated this statement, saying, “My Lords, I wish to humbly confirm the information. It is our position to settle the matter out of court.”
Presiding over the proceedings, Justice J. O. Oyewole directed both parties to document and file the terms of settlement for adoption. He set November 4 as the new date for the final resolution of the case.
Justice Onnoghen was removed from office in 2019 following a guilty verdict by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on charges of false asset declaration. In addition to his removal, he was ordered to forfeit undeclared assets to the federal government. Onnoghen has since appealed the ruling, seeking to overturn the CCT’s judgement.
Unlike the August 20 proceedings, Justice Onnoghen was not present in court on Thursday.
