Buhari knew nothing about Onnoghen’s trial – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari did not know anything about the trial of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.

Prof Osinbajo explained that the President only became aware of the Code of Conduct Bureau invitation on Saturday evening.

Speaking at on Wednesday at the third Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) conference in Abuja, he said he felt sad about the whole drama.

President Buhari was headlining the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally in Bauchi when the news of Onnoghen’s trial broke on Saturday.

READ: Onnoghen: Fani-Kayode apologises to EFCC

Onnoghen is accused of false asset declaration and the petition against him was filed by Dennis Aghanya, a former aide of Buhari.

“I feel very sad that is going on at all,” Prof Osinbajo told online publishers.

According to sources, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi masterminded the removal of CJN Onnoghen.

The source told Chronicle NG that Amaechi assembled some senior officials of security and investigative agencies and approached the Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The source also disclosed that Amaechi has been queried and reprimanded for the timing of the petition.

“The Presidency has queried him (Rotimi Amaechi) for the timing of the petition given that election is just weeks away,” the source said.

Onnoghen did not appear at the CCT but was represented by 45 Senior Advocates of Nigeria led by Chief Wole Olanipekun.