Nigeria’s chief justice, Justice Walter Onnoghe has been accused of failing to declare his assets before taking office in 2017.
Prosecutors brought the charges against Justice Walter Onnoghen before three-member Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday.
The Tribunal was set up for such high profile cases against senior civil servants and government officials accused of misconduct.
Proceedings were however adjourned till January 22 after the chief justice himself failed to show up for the hearing.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Umar is reported by local media to have conceded in court that that Onnoghen was improperly served with the charges and the summons.
Meanwhile the chief justice himself is said to have filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal.
He has been reported to have said that the case is borne out of administrative error.
But the opposition says the trial is part of efforts at destabilizing the country ahead of general elections next month.
Nigeria’s laws require that senior civil servants and government officials declare their assets prior to taking office. They are also required to do so after leaving office.
This is part of efforts at dealing with corruption in a country struggle to deal with such a canker.
Source: Africafeeds.com
