Justice Onnoghen’s CCT Trial: South-South Governors To Meet Today

By Jonathan Ugbal

The South-South Governor’s Forum has scheduled an emergency meeting of the Forum for today (Sunday) over the planned trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, and other issues.

Channels Television reports that a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, said the planned trial of Justice Onnoghen’s among other issues including the security of the Niger Delta during and post elections as well as the issue of derivation, are to be discussed at the meeting.

He said that while he had yet to get the full details about the developments concerning the CJN, it was a grave and dangerous escalation, as the country heads to the polls in four weeks.

The Governor said that the forum will address a press conference after the meeting to convey the position of the zone to the public.

Mr. Dickson also called for concerted efforts, “to prevent the subversion and desecration of the ethos of democracy in Nigeria as the nation moves nearer to the election.”

As at press time, it was unclear whether Governor Ben Ayade will be in attendance as he was scheduled to visit the scene and victims of the petroleum tanker explosion that occurred in Odukpani two days ago.

The CJN hails from Biase local government area and is a kinsman of Mr. Ayade’s Deputy, Professor Ivara Esu.

CrossRiverWatch had reported that the Code of Conduct Tribunal had earlier announced that the Code of Conduct Bureau filed criminal charges against Justice Onnoghen before it.

The CJN is facing six charges bordering on failure to declare his assets and operating a domiciliary account, among others.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr. Ibrahim Alhassan, the charges were served on the CJN on Friday.

Mr Alhassan added that they were based on a petition signed by the Executive Secretary of the anti-corruption research data-based initiative, Mr. Dennis Aghanya.

Alhassan said Justice Onnoghen will be arraigned on Monday, January 14.