Court of Appeal in Abuja has granted the request of the Federal Government and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Samuel Nkanu Walter Onnoghen, to settle out of court an appeal challenging his removal as CJN.
Gatekeepers News reports that this decision comes after the two parties intensified efforts to reach an amicable settlement of all issues in dispute.
Justice Onnoghen was removed as CJN by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 during a pending charge against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
However, lead counsel to the former CJN, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, informed the court that the parties are having discussions on a peaceful resolution, which had been ongoing until September 18 [1).
Onoja expressed optimism about the discussion’s outcome and requested a one-month adjournment for final settlement.
Federal government lawyer Tijani Gazali corroborated Onoja’s submission, stating, “My Lords, I wish to humbly confirm the information. It is our position to settle the matter out of court.”
Presiding Justice J. O. Oyewole directed the parties to file terms of settlement for adoption when agreed upon and fixed November 4 as the return date.
