LIVE UPDATES: Hundreds of lawyers, journalists await CJN Onnoghen arrival at CCT (photos)

Hundreds of lawyers and journalists have gathered at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Jabi, Abuja as the Chief of Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, is expected to appear before the tribunal on Monday, January 14.

Onnoghen has been accused of failing to declare some of his assets while declaring them at the Code of Conduct Bureau.

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He has since admitted to forgetting to include some of his accounts and assets while going through the process.

Some lawyers had promised to storm the CCT in solidarity with the CJN after accusing the federal government of discrediting the chief law officer of the federation.

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11:11: Umar says the service to Onnoghen should be done this week, since the defence counsel insists it wasn't done properly initially

10: 41: Policemen at the entrance of the building are now turning back guests as the courtroom is full to the brim

10: 40: dismisses insuinuation that the CJN is running away from the law, insists that the CCT has no jurisdiction to hear the matter, says the matter should be referred to the NJC

10: 36: Umar says there is no reason why the CJN should not be at the CCT for arraignment, saying he can plead guilty or not guilty

10: 35: Prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Umar (SAN) disputes Olanipekun's claim, says service was to done the CJN's personal assistant.

10:30: Olanipekun also revealed that CJN Onnoghen was not personally served, arguing that he ought to be served.

10:29: Olanipekun states that the procedure for service was not adhered to based on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act

10: 28: Announcing appearance for the CJN, Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN), tells the CCT it lacks the jurisdiction to try Onnoghen

10: 27: CJN Onnoghen confirmed absent

10:25: Olanipekun also revealed that CJN Onnoghen was not personally served, arguing that he ought to be served

10:24: CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar asks Olanipekun if the CJN was not aware of the case as widely publicized in the media, but the Onnoghen's lawyer insists that the law must be followed and not based on hearsay

10:23am: Prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Umar (SAN) disputes Olanipekun's claim, says service was to done the CJN's personal assistant

10:23am: Police cordon off the roads leading to the CCT building as a huge crowd gather in the area to witness arrival of Onnoghen.

10:22am: Umar says there is no reason why the CJN should not be at the CCT for arraignment, saying he can plead guilty or not guilty

10:21am: Olanipekun responds, says the defence is stating what the law says and not based on personal feelings or thinking. He reveals they have an interlocutory application pending before the CCT, insisting that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to hear case against the CJN

10:20am: More lawyers and judges are trickling into the CCT building as there are no signs of CJN Onnoghen yet.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng sighted cleaners at the CCT cleaning the main chambers of the tribunal, suggesting it has not been used for a while.

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Source: Legit.ng