The defence team led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), is appearing against the Federal Government’s prosecution team with only one Senior Advocate of Nigeria and four other junior counsels.
Some of the SANs appearing for the CJN that have arrived court included Olanipekun, Chief Kanu Agabi, Chief Chris Uche, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, Mrs. Victoria Agabi, Sebastine Hon, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Garba Tetengi A.T Kehinde, and Effiong Offiong.
Others also include, Yusuf Ali, Sylva Ogwemoh, Paul Erokoro, Tawo, among others.
As of 9.47am, the CJN has not been seen on the tribunal’s premises for the proceedings scheduled to start by 10am.
Meanwhile, the lead prosecuting counsel, Umar is a former Director of Public Prosecution in Kano State.
Umar arrived the CCT at about 9.10am.
He was one of the senior lawyers appointed in 2016 by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), as part of what was meant to be the government’s Special Prosecution Team.
The then special prosecuting team which appears to be technically disbanded comprised 20 SANs and 60 other lawyers.
Umar led the government’s prosecution team that was to prosecute the Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of Senate rules.
The charges were later withdrawn from court by the Umar-led legal team.
Onnoghen absent as CCT proceedings begin
The proceedings of the scheduled arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has started but he is nowhere to be found.
The members of the Danladi Umar-led three-man tribunal arrived in the courtroom at exactly 10am.
At 10.01am, the matter was called.
The court official who announced the case observed that CJN was not present and then notified the tribunal chairman of the development.
After the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN), announced his appearance, the tribunal asked the court official whether the CJN had been served with the charges and summons.
The court official confirmed that the CJN was served through his personal assistant.
He said, “He was served through his personal assistant. We went to his house and the defendant directed his personal assistant to collect the charge on his behalf.
“So the defendant has been served.”
Checkout photos from the court premises below.
