Onnoghen: My Client Retired, Didn’t Resign – Lawyer, Chief Awomolo

Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, has denied that his client resigned from the position as the CJN.

In a chat with Premium Times, Awomolo, who is the lead counsel to Mr Onnoghen in his false assets declaration trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, said the retired CJN letter to the President is mainly about retirement and not a resignation from office.

He said Mr Onnoghen sent his notice of retirement to President Muhammadu Buhari in line with constitutional provisions.

“What he has done is to send his notice of retirement to the President. And he has done so, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution,” he said.

According to the senior lawyer, “His position from day one has been that it is only the NJC that can discipline him. Now that the NJC has spoken, out of respect for the NJC and the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Nigerian Judiciary, he sent his letter of retirement, not resignation. He never resigned.

“All he has done is to send a letter to the president, saying thank you. I have served this country for about 32 years. I want to retire. That’s all he has done.”