The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, has ordered an out-of-court settlement between the Federal Government and the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in the alleged unlawful sack of Onnoghen, News About Nigeria reports.
Justice J. O. Oyewole, who presided over the sitting, gave the order at the resumed hearing of the appeal on Thursday.
Recall that former Justice Onnoghen had filed an appeal challenging his removal as CJN.
The lead counsel to the former CJN, Dr. Ogwu Onoja, however, told the court on Thursday that the two parties in the suit are already having discussions on a peaceful resolution of the dispute, adding that they have been in discussion up until Wednesday, the 18th of September 2024.
He expressed hope that the discussion would end up with a fruitful result and asked the court to give them a one-month adjournment for the final settlement of the matter.
The lawyer to the Federal Government, Tijani Gazali, on his part, did not object to Onoja’s submission, he rather gave support to it and asked the Court to shift the matter forward for a possible amicable settlement.
“My Lords, I wish to humbly confirm the information. It is our position to settle the matter out of court.”
“Justice J. O. Oyewole, who presided over today’s sitting, directed both parties to file terms of settlement for adoption when eventually agreed upon.
“He also ordered them to document the terms of the settlement and file before the adjourned date for the court to adopt as its judgement in the matter.
“He fixed November 4 as the return date for the two parties,” he stated.
