Nigeria's Suspended Chief Justice Denies Assets Charges

Nigeria's Suspended Chief Justice Denies Assets Charges

Nigeria's most senior judge appeared in a court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose assets in a politically charged case on the eve of elections.

Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen failed to show up to previous hearings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja, which hears cases of ethics breaches by public officials.

On Wednesday, tribunal chairman Danladi Umar ordered that he be arrested if he did not turn up.

Onnoghen came to the court voluntarily and formally entered a not guilty plea to six charges related to the non-disclosure of foreign currency bank accounts.

He was granted bail and the case was adjourned until March 11.