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Nigeria's highest judge appeared in court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose his badets in a political affair on the eve of the elections.
Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen did not attend previous hearings before the Abuja Code of Ethics Tribunal, which hears cases of ethical offenses committed by public officials.
On Wednesday, the president of the court, Danladi Umar, ordered his arrest if he did not show up.
Onnoghen voluntarily appeared in court and formally pleaded not guilty to six counts of non-disclosure of foreign currency bank accounts.
He was released on bail and the case was adjourned until March 11th.
After the hearing, prosecutor Musa Ibrahim described the day as "sad day" for the legal profession.
"But the law is the law," he said. "The entire legal profession is judged if the chief justice of Nigeria is judged."
Onnoghen's lawyer, Chris Uche, said the case was a "struggle for the maintenance of the independence of the judiciary … the rule of law … [and] for the separation of powers ".
"Today, his lordship must have been unworthy to appear before this court to plead his case," he said, confident that Onnoghen would be exonerated.
"The world will eventually know the truth and will know that there is more behind this pursuit."
Handle the judiciary?
The charges suggested that the case was politically motivated, with the original complaint being made by a former spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari himself has also been accused of attempting manipulation of the judiciary by suspending and replacing Onnoghen, in apparent violation of the constitution.
A Chief Justice's request for revocation must normally be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.
At the head of the Supreme Court, Onnoghen would have played a key role in any dispute over the outcome of the presidential and legislative elections this weekend.
Buhari has already expressed frustration that the court has overturned convictions for corruption, including some opposition politicians.
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