By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
with additional report from Starconnect
The absence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Abuja on Monday (today) stalled commencement of his trial on charges of false declaration of asset filed against the him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Onnoghen, who was represented in court by several SANS led by Chief Wole Olanipekun told the CCT that it is impossible to proceed with the trial in the absence of his client.
He submitted that he has already filled an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charges, contending that the application should not be heard in the absence of his client.
While objecting to submission of Olanipekun, Malam Umar Aliyu (SAN), counsel to the Code of Conduct Bureau averred the defendant was duly served and that the application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal should not be entertained unless the CJN had taken his plea.
The tribunal chairman, Umar Danladi, ordered fresh service of summons on the CJN and adjourned till January 22, 2019 for possible arraignment of the CJN.