The federal government has asked Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), to “step aside” from office.

Aliu Umar, counsel to the federal government in Onnoghen’s ongoing trial, made the submission at the resumed sitting of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Tuesday.

He said the CJN should “step aside pending the determination of the case”.

Umar, however, added that “we are not seeking for the removal” of the CJN.