The Court of Appeal in Abuja has discharged and acquitted former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, overturning his 2019 conviction for false asset declaration by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Justice Onnoghen, who was convicted on April 18, 2019, by the tribunal led by Umar Yakubu Danladi, faced a legal battle that sparked a nationwide debate about judicial independence and integrity.
However, the Appeal Court, led by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, has now dismissed the charges, citing a resolution reached between the federal government and Onnoghen’s legal team.

The appellate court’s ruling further directed that the four bank accounts previously ordered to be forfeited be returned to Onnoghen, marking a complete restoration of his assets.

This judgment follows a negotiated settlement endorsed by the current administration, with both parties agreeing to close the contentious chapter.

Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Adegboyega Awomolo and Ogwu James Onoja, representing Onnoghen, extended their appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for their roles in facilitating the settlement.