The Federal Government and Attorney General of the Federation have
asked the Supreme Court to decline jurisdiction over a suit seeking its
intervention in the trial of suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice
Walter Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal .
The FG and the AGF contended that Onnoghen’ trial was personal to
him and could only involve the Supreme Court, where an appeal arises
from the Court of Appeal on a decision reached either during or after the
trial at the CCT.
Their position is contained in a notice of objection they filed against a
suit instituted at the Supreme Court by Cross River State.
The state government, in their originating summons, queried the
propriety of Onnoghen’s trial before the CCT and urged the Supreme
Court to declare it illegal on the grounds that it was only the National
Judicial Council that could exercise disciplinary powers over a serving
judge.
In their objection, the FG and AGF listed as defendants in the suit,
argued that the subject of the case did not qualify as a dispute between
the Cross River State and the Federal Government, as envisaged under
Section 232(1) of the Constitution.
