The Court of Appeal in Abuja has approved a request by the Federal Government and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to settle out of court in an appeal challenging his removal from office.
This decision follows indications that both parties are making efforts to reach an amicable resolution on all disputed issues.
In 2019, during the pending charges against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), former President Muhammadu Buhari removed Onnoghen from his position as CJN.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Ogwu Onoja, lead counsel for Onnoghen, informed the court that discussions for a peaceful resolution were already underway.
He requested a one-month adjournment to finalize the settlement process.
Tijani Gazali, representing the Federal Government, supported Onoja’s request and asked for the matter to be postponed to facilitate a potential agreement.
Justice J. O. Oyewole, presiding over the case, directed that the terms of the settlement be documented and filed before the next court date for adoption as the court’s judgment.
He scheduled the return date for both parties for November 4.
Onnoghen was prosecuted by the Federal Government in 2019 for false declaration of assets at the CCT.
He was found guilty, removed from office, and ordered to forfeit the undeclared assets to the government.
In the current proceedings, Onnoghen, who was absent in court, is appealing the CCT’s decision, seeking to overturn the judgment that led to his removal and the forfeiture of his five bank accounts.
This development signals a possible resolution to a significant legal conflict, with both parties now working toward a mutual agreement outside the courtroom.
