HAPPENING NOW: Onnoghen Rejects Tribunal Chairman’s Seat Offer

The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, politely rejected an offer of a seat in the dock made to him by the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, on Friday.

Umar had expressed a surprise to find Onnoghen still standing minutes after he first asked tribunal officials to give him a seat in the dock.

Seeing Onnoghen still standing, Umar wondered if his instruction that the CJN be offered a seat had not been complied with.

Realising there was a seat in the dock, Umar faced Onnoghen’s direction smiling and said “‎My Lord, sit down”.

After seeing that Onnoghen was not interested in the offer, Umar raised his voice as he repeated the offer.

But Onnoghen said, “I will use the seat when I need it”.

Onnoghen had earlier entered the dock to answer to the charges of non-declaration of charges instituted against him.