An Abuja Federal High Court has barred the Nigerian government from freezing the accounts of Walter Onnoghen, the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), except there is a court order directing it to do so.
Onnoghen is standing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegations of a fraudulent declaration of assets.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu granted the order on Monday, on an ex parte motion, filed by the Legal Defence and Assistance Project Ltd/GTE.
Justice Ojukwu said: “The Attorney General of the Federation must obtain a court order before freezing the accounts of Justice Onnoghen Walter.
“That where it is shown that the order of court was obtained before the freezing of the accounts contained in Exhibit B, the freezing order shall remain valid.”
The judge adjourned the matter till February 13, 2019, while ordering the respondents to be served before the next adjournment.
