By Abiodun Bolujoko
Samuel Walter Nkanu Onnoghen could be described as a silent achiever in the world of Law. Not much was known about him to an average Nigerian until his ordeals with the Federal Government began in 2017.
Onnoghen had performed excellently in the Nigeria judicial sector considering his reform innovations but today, he is a convict.
He was convicted of an offence bordering on declaration of asset among others.
His travails started in 2017 when President Muhammadu Buhari refused to confirm his appointment even after being cleared by the Senate.
His appointment was later confirmed by the acting President Yemi Osinbajo when his principal, traveled abroad for medical attention.
His brief history
Onnoghen, Ex-CJN (Chief Justice of Nigeria), GCON (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger) was born December 22, 1950.
He was born in Okurike a small indiscript village in Cross River State.
He started school in 1959 at Presbyterian Primary School, Okurike and proceeded to Odorgonno Senior High School in Accra, Ghana for his secondary education in 1967. He achieved his WAEC at Accra Academy in 1974 and attended the University of Ghana at Legon graduating in 1977 and joining the Nigerian Law School in Lagos in 1978.
Completing Law School in 1978 he worked at the Ministry of Justice, Ikeja, Lagos and in Ogun State from 1978-1979, as a People’s State Counsel. In 1979 he left for private practice at the Law firm of Effiom Ekong & Company in Calabar, Cross River State.
In 1988 he started his own firm Walter Onnoghen & Associates, also in Calabar.
In 1989 he left private practice and was appointed the State High Court Judge of Cross Rivers State. At his time in the High Court he was the Chairman of the State Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal for 3 years from 1990 – 1993. In 1996 he was appointed the Chairman of the Judicial Enquiry into the Crisis between Students of the University of Calabar and Obufa Esuk Orok Community, Calabar. In 1998, he Chaired the Failed Bank Tribunal in Ibadan Zone. In 1998, he was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
His outstanding achievements
In 2007, Onnoghen, while at the Supreme Court, held a dissenting judgment supporting the annullment of the presidential election that brought in President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua,
In February 2016, Onnoghen led a 7-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court, reviewing and upholding the death sentence of Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (aka Rev. King) of the Christian Praying Assembly.
In 2017 he was eligible judge to replace the outgoing Chief Justice but President Mohammadu Buhari refused to appoint him. In February 2017 while President Buhari was on a medical trip outside the country, Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, appointed him and sent his name to the senate which confirmed his appointment on March 1st 2017.
Onnoghen was sworn in on March 7 2017.
Sequence of events from his appointment as acting CJN to conviction
November 10, 2016 – Buhari appointed Onnoghen acting CJN
February 8, 2017 – Acting President Yemi Osinbajo nominated him as the substantive CJN.
March 1, 2017 – He was confirmed.
March 7, 2017 – He was sworn in as substantive CJN by Osinbajo
January 10 – The CCB received a petition against Onnoghen from one Chief Dennis Aghanya of the Anti-corruption and Research-based Data Initiative (ARDI)
January 11 – He made a statement to the CCB in his office where he admitted to have forgotten to declare some assets.
January 11 – Charge of false and non-assets declaration filed against him.
January 14 – He failed to appear for his arraignment. His lawyer said he wasn’t personally served.
January 14 – A National Industrial Court in Abuja restrained CCT from going ahead with trial. A Federal High Court and an FCT High Court also made similar orders.
January 16 – Onnoghen was ‘personally’ served with court summons.
January 23 – CCT granted ex-parte order granting leave for Onnoghen’s suspension.
January 22 – Absent again in tribunal. His lawyers asked for indefinite adjournment. Tribunal dismissed application, said all High Courts and Industrial Court orders not binding on tribunal.
January 25 – Buhari suspended Onnoghen, appointed Tanko Mohammed as acting CJN
January 28 – CCT adjourned trial indefinitely.
February 4 – CCT reconvened following Court of Appeal dismissal of Onnoghen’s stay of proceedings motion. FG indicated intention to apply for a bench warrant against Onnoghen.
February 13 – CCT ordered Onnoghen’s arrest following application by FG.
February 15 – Onnoghen appeared in court, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Granted bail on self-recognizance.
b – Onnoghen again absent in CCT over high BP, tooth-ache
March 18 – FG called first witness.
March 29 – CCT rejected Onnoghen’s no-case submission. Ordered him to open defence.
April 1 – Onnoghen called his driver as his sole witness.
April 3 – NJC sent report on Onnoghen to President Buhari
April 5 – Onnoghen reportedly resigned as CJN. No confirmation from presidency
April 15 – Adoption of final written addresses at CCT.
April 18 – CCT convicted him of the charge.
