A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday restated its order restraining the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and some others from proceeding with the planned arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Justice Evelyn Maha restated the order at the resumed hearing of the suits brought by the incorporated trustees of two groups – the Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative, and the International Association of Students Economists and Management.
The suits are challenging the propriety of the charge brought against the CJN before the CCT by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Upon being told that some of the respondents have not been properly served, the judge ordered fresh service of court papers in relation to the suits on the defendants and directed that hearing notices also be served on them.
She also asked that the date of service be included in the proof of service before the next hearing.
Justice Maha, before adjourning to January 28 this year, restated that the order she made on January 14, 2019 directing parties to maintain status quo, still stands.
The implications of this order includes among other things that the trial of the CJN, scheduled to continue on January 22 at the CCT may have to be suspended, pending further directives.