Onnoghen resigned on Thursday – Lawyer

Justice Walter Onnoghen

Adegboyega Awomolo, lawyer to suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, has confirmed Onnoghen’s resignation.

Without giving further details, Mr Awomolo told AFP that Onnoghen resigned on Thursday as reported by the media.

“Yes, he resigned yesterday,” he simply said.

President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen weeks before elections in February, prompting outrage and claims that he was trying to manipulate the judiciary.

Onnoghen is being accused of false and non-declaration of assets and has been facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

In a twist of event, Onnoghen on Wednesday closed his defence at CCT after calling only one witness, his driver.

After an emergency meeting on Thursday, National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Onnoghen’s compulsory retirement to the president.