The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, has approved the request from the federal government and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to settle the appeal regarding his removal as CJN.
During the resumed hearing, Dr. Ogwu Onoja, lead counsel for Onnoghen, informed the three-member panel that both parties are in discussions for a peaceful resolution. He noted that these discussions have been ongoing until September 18.
Onoja expressed optimism about reaching a fruitful agreement and requested a one-month adjournment for final settlement discussions. The federal government’s counsel, Tijani Gazali, supported this request and confirmed their intention to settle the matter out of court.
Justice J. O. Oyewole, presiding over the session, directed both parties to prepare and file terms of settlement for adoption once agreed upon. He ordered that these terms be documented before the next court date, which was set for November 4.
Justice Onnoghen was removed from office in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari following a charge of false asset declaration, for which the Code of Conduct Tribunal found him guilty. As a result of his removal, Onnoghen was also required to forfeit undeclared assets and five bank accounts to the federal government.
