By Kenny Folowosele, Abuja
The Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday granted the request of the Federal Government and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to settle out of court.
In the appeal before the appellate court, Onnoghen challenged his unlawful removal as CJN.
The latest court decision comes against the backdrop of information that the two parties in the suit have intensified efforts to reach an amicable settlement of all issues in dispute.
Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari removed Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2019 during the pendency of a charge against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
However, at yesterday’s proceedings in the appeal, lead counsel to the former CJN, Dr Ogwu James Onoja, informed a three-man panel of justices of the Appeal Court that the two parties are already discussing a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Onoja informed the court that the parties had an engagement until Wednesday, September 18, and expressed optimism that the discussion would yield fruitful results.
The senior lawyer subsequently appealed to the appellate court for a one-month adjournment for final settlement of the matter.
Federal Government’s lawyer, Tijani Gazali, corroborated Onoja’s submission and requested that the matter be shifted forward for a possible amicable settlement.
“My Lords, I wish to confirm the information humbly. It is our position to settle the matter out of court,” he said.
In a brief remark, Justice J.O Oyewole, who presided over yesterday’s proceedings, directed them to file settlement terms for adoption when eventually agreed upon.
Oyewole held that the settlement terms must be documented and filed before the adjourned date for the court to adopt as its judgement.
He has fixed November 4 as the return date for the two parties.
