The Court of Appeal in Abuja has officially discharged and acquitted former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen from charges that led to his controversial removal from office in 2019.

Justice Onnoghen was originally suspended on January 25, 2019, by then-President Muhammadu Buhari—just 29 days before the presidential election. At the time, Buhari appointed Justice Tanko Muhammad, the Supreme Court’s next most senior jurist, as acting CJN. This abrupt suspension came only hours after Onnoghen had announced his plan to inaugurate judges assigned to election petition tribunals, sparking intense reactions across Nigeria. The Nigerian Bar Association notably condemned Buhari’s decision, calling it a “judicial coup.”

Following his removal, Onnoghen faced a six-count corruption charge brought against him by the Federal Government, leading to his conviction by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on allegations of false asset declaration. This legal battle significantly impacted Onnoghen’s career and legacy.

READ ALSO :FG, ex-CJN Onnoghen may agree to settle without litigation

Now, nearly six years after the initial conviction, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, headed by Justice Mohammed Bello, has acquitted the former CJN. The acquittal came after the Federal Government reached a settlement agreement with Onnoghen, facilitated by President Bola Tinubu and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

The federal government persuaded the appellate court to discontinue three appeals Onnoghen had filed challenging his removal, conviction, and asset seizure. As part of the settlement terms, finalized on October 24, the Court of Appeal ordered the immediate unfreezing of Onnoghen’s account with Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, marking a significant conclusion to the high-profile case.

 Credible News recalls that the Court of Appeal in Abuja on September 19,  granted the request of the Federal Government and former CJN, Justice Onnoghen to settle out of court an appeal challenging his removal as CJN.

The decision of the court followed information to the effect that the two parties in the suit have intensified efforts to reach an amicable settlement of all issues in dispute.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 removed Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria during the pendency of a charge against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

However, at the proceedings in the appeal, lead counsel to the former CJN, Dr Ogwu James Onoja, informed a 3-man panel of justices of the Appeal Court that the two parties are already having discussions on a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Onoja informed the court that the parties had an engagement up until September 18 and expressed optimism that the discussion would bear fruitful results.

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