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.

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