The Danladi Umar-led Code of Conduct Tribunal yesterday fixed April 15 for adoption of final addresses by parties in the trial of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on charges of false and non-declaration of assets.
The three-man bench fixed the date for the pre-judgment proceedings after Onnoghen closed his case with only one defence witness who had testified on Monday.
Before adjourning the case on Wednesday, the tribunal chairman, Umar, gave the defence up till Monday, April 8, to file and serve its final address on the prosecution.
The prosecution was given up till Thursday, April 11, to respond.
The tribunal chairman said any further reply on points of law by the defence to the response of the prosecution must be filed by April 15.
Onnoghen’s lawyer, Chris Uche, had asked for 14 days to file the defendant’s final written address, but the ruling of the tribunal showed that the CCT wanted the case dispensed with earlier.
In shortening the period requested by the defence, the tribunal chairman said he had to give “regard to the purport of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.”