History was made Friday in Nigeria as a living, but suspended Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was docked and a plea taken from him. He pleaded not guilty and declined an offer to sit in the dock preferring to remain standing.
Walter Onnoghen is facing six count charges of alleged false declaration of his assets, as required by law.
For four weeks, Justice Onnoghen resisted pressure to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal until the Tribunal head, Danladi Umar, on Wednesday ordered the Inspector-General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Services to arrest and produce him in court this Friday.
After his pleas were taken, his counsel, Mr. Chris Uche, asked for his bail It was granted.
An application for an adjournment was made by the defence counsel, and it was adjourned to March 11.