Justice Onnoghen reacts to rumours of his resignation

Awusam Bassey, media aide to Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says his principal has not resigned.

Bassey said this in reaction to speculation that the CJN may have stepped down.

In a statement on Friday, the aide said the “rumour” is “fake news”.

He said Onnoghen sat in court on Thursday and will swear in members of the national assembly, governorship and state assembly election petition tribunals on Saturday.

“There is absolutely no truth in the rumours making the round that the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, has resigned his office. It is fake news! The Hon CJN was in the office all through yesterday (Thursday) and sat in court,” Bassey said.

“As part of his duties, the Hon CJN will be swearing in members of the 2019 national assembly, governorship and state assembly election petition tribunals tomorrow (Saturday 26th January 2019).”

Onnoghen is accused of false assets declaration. He has failed to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to answer the charges against him.

On Tuesday, Aliyu Umar, counsel to the federal government, urged the tribunal to give a temporary order asking the CJN to “step aside”.

The Abuja court of appeal has ordered the tribunal to stay proceedings in Onnoghen’s case.

The CCT trial has been adjourned to February 4.

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