AGF Informs Appeal Court It Lacks Onnoghen’s Trial File, Seeks Adjournment

At the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) disclosed that it does not possess the case file for the trial of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen, despite the case concluding five years ago.

Onnoghen, who was prosecuted by the Federal Government in 2019 for false declaration of assets, was found guilty by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The tribunal’s ruling led to his removal from office and the forfeiture of undeclared assets to the government.

However, during Tuesday’s hearing, Tijani Gazali, SAN, representing the federal government, informed the court that no documents related to Onnoghen’s trial were available within the Federal Ministry of Justice.

He explained that the trial was managed by the late Aliyu Umar, SAN, a Kano-based private lawyer, and that most of the 2019 legal processes were directed to his chambers.

Gazali requested an adjournment, citing the need to retrieve the necessary documents from the late lawyer’s chambers. He further mentioned that the new AGF was considering an amicable resolution to the matter.

Chris Uche, SAN, who represented Onnoghen, contested Gazali’s claim, stating that some documents had been served and acknowledged by the AGF. He pressed for an accelerated hearing, which was ultimately granted after the federal government raised no objections.

Justice C. I. Jombo Ofo, presiding over the panel, scheduled the accelerated hearing for September 19.

Onnoghen, who was present in court, is seeking to overturn the CCT’s judgment, which resulted in his removal from office and the forfeiture of his five bank accounts.